The impact of hardiness and severity of childhood sexual abuse on adult adjustment

This study explored the relationship of hardiness, severity of abuse, frequency an duration of abuse, and the identity of the perpetrator on adjustment in a nonclinical sample of 255 women survivors. A path analysis indicated that hardiness was a significant mediating variable to adjustment. Additionally, severity was found to significantly contribute to overall adjustment. Preliminary analyses showed the following: 1) longer duration and more frequent abuse resulted in higher severity scores; 2) women who showed higher levels of commitment, control, and challenge were better adjusted; 3) women whose abuse was more frequent and of longer duration demonstrated more emotional trauma symptoms; and 4) father/stepfather abuse was related to poorer adjustment: Implications for treatment are explored.