Cognitions and Behaviors Scale: Development and Initial Performance of a Scale for Use With Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Objective: A conceptually based assessment scale was developed for use with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Method: A convenience sample of 287 university students completed a demographic survey and responded to a pool of items using a Likert-type scale. The main form of analysis is factor analysis, reliability and validity analyses, and t tests. Results: The analysis resulted in a valid and reliable multidimensional scale that is conceptually based. Hypotheses that survivors of CSA would score significantly higher than nonsurvivors and that female and male survivors of CSA would not have significant differences in subscale and total scale scores were supported. Conclusions: The scale reported here should be tested with known groups to further establish its validity and usefulness in the clinical assessment and intervention process of adult survivors of CSA.