Citation

Cukor D, McGinn LK. J. Child Sex. Abus. 2006; 15(3): 19-34.

Affiliation

SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave, Box 1203, Brooklyn, NY 11203-2098, USA. Daniel.Cukor@Downstate.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16893817

Abstract

The link between childhood abuse, adult depression, and anxiety has been well studied, but few studies have empirically explored the mechanism of that link. Using a clinical sample of women, this study examined the relationship between retrospectively measured childhood abuse and neglect and current adult symptoms of anxiety and depression, via the mediating effects of cognitive style. This study found that women who reported a positive abuse history were significantly more depressed and exhibited more maladaptive schemas than women who did not report a history of abuse. Specifically, it would appear that cognitive styles marked by interpersonal disconnection and rejection are particularly pathogenic. These findings contribute to the growing literature by providing support for the role of cognitions in mediating the link between childhood abuse and psychopathology.

Language: en