Citation

Shea DJ. Sex. Addict. Compuls. 2008; 15(3): 250-268.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10720160802288993

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study compared symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, learned helplessness, and strength of religious faith between those abused by a priest and those abused by a layperson. A group of 29 males abused by a Catholic priest and a group of 20 males abused by a layperson completed a demographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Learned Helplessness Scale, the Strength of Religious Faith Scale, and the Posttraumatic Check List. Both groups had scores that were suggestive of learned helplessness, moderate levels of depression, the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder, and weak religious faith. Although there were no major differences in effects, those abused by a priest were older at the time of first abuse and did not report their abuse until a later age. This may have legal ramification. Legal advocacy was supported.

Language: en