Year: 2001 Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, v.158, no.7, (July 2001), p.1034-1039 SIEC No: 20050079

This study investigated the role of dissociation as a mediator of mental health outcomes in children with a history of sexual abuse. In a sample of 114 children & adolescents, sexual abuse history was significantly associated with dissociation. Both sexual abuse & dissociation were independently associated with several indicators of mental health disturbance, including suicidality, self-mutilation, & sexual aggression. The findings suggest a unique relationship between sexual abuse & dissociation. (24 refs)