Cited by 381Child Abuse and TraumaSexual Assault and Victimization StudiesMilitary, Security, and Education Studies

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Stress, appraisal, and coping in child sexual abuse: A theoretical and empirical review.

Spaccarelli, Steve·1994·Psychological Bulletin

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Abstract

A review of theories to predict the mental health effects of child sexual abuse suggests that existing models have not adequately defined stress and coping constructs and have not specified how those variables might interact with other environmental factors. This article outlines a transactional model that conceptualizes sexual abuse as a stressor consisting of a series of abuse events, abuse-related events, and disclosure-related events that each tend to increase risk for maladaptive outcomes. The model also proposes that cognitive appraisals and coping responses mediate the effects of these events, that developmental and environmental factors may moderate relationships between sexual abuse stressors and victim responses, and that victims' initial responses may effect subsequent levels of abuse-related stress. Empirical studies relevant to the major components of this model are reviewed, and the implications of these findings for future research are considered.

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Authors: Spaccarelli, S.
Affiliations: University of Illinois Chicago (US)
Corresponding author: Spaccarelli, Steve
Venue: Psychological Bulletin
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 1994-09
Volume: 116
Issue: 2
Pages: 340-362
ISSN: 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
1939-1455
DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.116.2.340
OpenAlex: W1972094930
Cited by: 380
References: 172
Citations by year: 2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 20
FWCI: 8.24
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Military, Security, and Education Studies
Keywords: child sexual abuse, stress, cognitive appraisal, coping, transactional model, disclosure, mental health, developmental factors, environmental factors
MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological, Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Child Behavior, Child, Preschool, Humans, Infant, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Stress, Psychological

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Stress, appraisal, and coping in child sexual abuse: A theoretical and empirical review.

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