Mood Disturbances Among Women Clients Sexually Abused in Childhood

Abstract

In a series of 51 previously abused women who entered therapy, 92% were found to have at least one form of mood disturbance such as low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, and depressive episodes. It is hypothesized that these disturbances may arise from certain distorted beliefs that clients hold concerning their earlier sexual abuse. Some common self-blaming and self-denigratory beliefs are outlined. An intervention package that included cognitive restructuring procedures was accompanied by clinically and statistically significant improvements in the clients' belief systems and the associated mood disturbances.