E-ISSN : 2733-4538
This study examined for the first time in Korea the rate of sexual abuse both for the general and clinical population. Of the 1,032 females from general population nonabused were 13.3%, noncontact abuse 53.6%, contact abuse 18.8%, attempted or completed rape 14.3 %. The psychological effects of childhood sexual abuse(CSA) as measured by the SSCS(Sungshin Selfconcept Scale) and MMPI(short form) were that the nonabused group proved to be emotionally more stable, more competent in interpersonal relationship, problem solving, more able to trust other people and showed less clinical symptoms than sexually abused group. Furthermore the nonabused group and the noncontact abuse group showed less clinical symptoms such as depression, hystery, personality disorder, schizophrenia compared to the contact group and the attempted or completed rape group. It turned out that those who experienced contact abuse or rape but experienced good familial relationship showed a higher level of self esteem and less clinical symptoms such as depression, hystery, personality disorder, schizophrenia compared to those who belong to the same group but experienced unfavorable familial relationship.