Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Sexually Abused Children

Authors

Theresa Wozencraft, University of Southern Mississippi
William Wagner, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Alicia Pellegrin, University of Southern Mississippi

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1991

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Sixty-five sexually abused children were administered the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) following investigation of their abuse to determine the relationship of victims' depression and suicidal ideation with victims' age, post-investigation residence, nature of the abuse, and mothers' belief of victim and compliance with treatment recommendations. Results indicated that older victims were more likely to describe themselves as being depressed. In addition, older victims and those whose mothers were less compliant were more likely to have CDI scores that were above the 90th percentile reported by Smucker, Craighead, Craighead, and Green (1986). Suicidal ideation was more likely in victims who were older, whose mothers were less compliant, who were not removed from their homes, and who had been molested by a family member.

Publication Title

Child Abuse and Neglect

Volume

15

Issue

4

First Page

505

Last Page

511

Recommended Citation

Wozencraft, T., Wagner, W., Pellegrin, A. (1991). Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Sexually Abused Children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 15(4), 505-511.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/7075