Self-mutilation, examined in samples of the general population, clinical groups, and self-identified self-mutilators, was reported by 4% of the general and 21% of the clinical sample, and was equally prevalent among males and females. Results suggest that such behavior is used to decrease dissociation, emotional distress, and posttraumatic symptoms. Childhood sexual abuse was associated with self-mutilation in both clinical and nonclinical samples.
A 33-item Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-33) is presented, and the psychometric properties of this scale are summarized from four separate studies. Developed to assess the impact of childhood abuse on later (adult) functioning, the TSC-33 consists of five subscales (Dissociation, Anxiety, Depression, Post-Sexual Abuse Trauma-hypothesized [PSAT-h], and Sleep Disturbance) and a total scale score. Data suggest that the TSC-33 and its associated subscales are reasonably reliable measures that display some predictive and discriminative validity with regard to childhood sexual abuse. Other variables appear to elevate checklist scores as well, however, such as physical abuse history and mental health client status, although apparently not gender.
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