Childhood Abuse and Neglect in an Outpatient Clinical Sample: Prevalence and Impact

The study examined the prevalence of five types of childhood trauma in a sample of adult clients (n = 497) as well as their long-term relation to trauma symptoms in adulthood. Results showed a high prevalence of abuse and neglect with emotional abuse and neglect being the most common ones. Emotional abuse was the best and strongest predictor of trauma symptoms in adulthood, including anxiety, depression, defensive avoidance, as well as internal confusion and emptiness. The results indicated that experience of emotional abuse is no less significant than that of physical and sexual abuse in its long-term impact. Clinical implication was provided.