Prevalence and Process of Disclosure of Childhood Sexual Abuse Among Eating-Disordered Women

Abstract

Abstract This study examined childhood sexual abuse (CSA) prevalence and the process of disclosure among 100 eating-disordered women in residential treatment. A question on the intake questionnaire asked about sexual abuse, and subjects were interviewed about childhood sexual experiences after four or more weeks of treatment using inverted funnel questioning. Thirty percent reported sexual abuse on the intake questionnaire, while 61% reported CSA at the interview. Data gathered on abuse variables were used to make comparisons with community studies. Only 45.8% of the 131 perpetrators had been disclosed within a year of occurrence, two-thirds of these to family or peers/acquaintances before residential treatment. Methodological and clinical implications are discussed.