Reported Amnesia for Childhood Abuse and Other Traumatic Events in Psychiatric Inpatients

Abstract

The study investigated the prevalence of amnesia for sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other traumatic events, and the relationships between aspects of childhood physical and sexual abuse and adult psychological symptoms among 217 psychiatric inpatients (aged 30–45 yrs). An interview was conducted to assess past sexual and physical abuse experiences and incidents of amnesia. Information about amnesia for traumatic events other than childhood abuse was obtained. Severity, duration, and age of onset of abuse experiences were measured. Childhood experiences of neglect, dysfunctional behavior in caretakers, and social support were also aspects of the abuse experience measured. Adult psychological symptoms measured included posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, dissociation, depression, anxiety, self-destructiveness, somatization, and aggression. The results show that, while there are differences in the rates of different reported levels of amnesia across sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other traumas, substantial numbers of Ss reported having experienced partial or total amnesia for physical abuse and other traumatic experiences. The level of amnesia for abuse was found to be related to characteristics of the abuse experience and to trauma-related psychiatric symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)