Effects of child abuse on general health and personal beliefs in adulthood: A case study

Abstract

The aim of this study, involving one General Hospital in the North of England, was to investigate how adult survivors from a hospital sample of children previously diagnosed as abused compared on standard psychological measures of Locus of Control, Self Esteem and General Health when matched with controls who attended hospital for paediatric assessment or investigation. Our findings suggest that, overall, abuse survivors do not differ significantly on standard psychological measures from controls. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Hospital records provide an important database for further study of the long-term effects of identified abuse and health problems in childhood.