entory to Diagnose Depression (IDD), and anxiety as measured by the Clinical Anxiety Scale (CAS).
Research shows effects of depression and anxiety for childhood sexual abuse victims, however a large portion of the literature is derived from a clinical population. The use of a nonclinical college student population will provide unique results. Since prevention and intervention efforts regarding childhood sexual abuse and its effects, has resulted in failed attempts, an understanding of these effects on a nonclinical female college population will provide additional information needed to assist with future directions for the mental health care system.
This review of the literature concerning the effects of childhood sexual abuse on adult females, will address the following areas relevant to the study: an overview of childhood sexual abuse; effects of childhood sexual abuse; specific effects of depression and anxiety, and college dropout rates and study design.
Sexual abuse of children has been reported 80,000 times a year and the numbers of unreported cases is considered to be even greater. The long-term effects of this abuse are far reaching and devastating. The abuse may take place in various situations, to include within the family, in a school, at a neighbors, or with a random molester. Children are not in a position to cope with sexual stimulation or the psychological ramifications involved with the interaction. The child may care for the abuser and become trapped between the need for that person and the need to be rid of the abuse. These children develop a loss of self-esteem with feelings of worthlessness and they become withdrawn, mistrustful, and have an abnormal sexual perspective. They may have difficulty relating to others on terms other than sexual which can develop into serious adult problems ("Child," 1999, p. 262).
Child abuse has become a problem demanding professional, pubic, and policy attentio...