Trauma Symptomatology among Female U.S. Navy Recruits

Abstract

A sample of female U.S. Navy recruits (N = 1,051) was surveyed for histories of childhood abuse and current trauma symptomatology. Victims of only childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and victims of both CSA and childhood physical abuse (CPA) had significantly higher scores on all 10 Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) clinical scales than did participants who did not report a history of childhood abuse. Victims of only CPA had significantly higher scores on all TSI clinical scales, except the Sexual Concerns scale, than participants who did not report a childhood history of CPA or CSA. Additionally, more victims of childhood abuse positively endorsed TSI items related to suicidal behavior and ideation than did nonvictims. Overall, the women who experienced CPA and/or CSA reported substantially higher levels of trauma symptomatology.