Abstract
Because many psychotherapy clients consult popularly available childhood sexual abuse (CSA) checklists to determine whether they have abuse histories, clinicians need to be cognizant of these checklists' potential strengths and weaknesses. In particular, endorsement of CSA checklists may be attributable to the Barnum effect. One hundred ninety-six female undergraduates, 39 with self-reported CSA histories, rated lists of CSA checklist items and Barnum items for self-descriptiveness. CSA and Barnum checklist scores were moderately correlated. The CSA checklist significantly distinguished women with versus without a history of abuse, but not when global distress was controlled. Consequently, clinicians should exert caution when assigning books containing popular CSA checklists.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
