The authors investigated the relationship between physical and sexual
abuse and psychiatric illness. The life experiences of 188 male and female
psychiatric patients were reconstructed through an in-depth examination of
psychiatric inpatient records. Almost half of the patients had histories of
physical and/or sexual abuse; 90% of the abused patients had been
victimized by family members. The abused patients' responses to chronic
victimization included difficulty in coping with anger and aggression,
impaired self-esteem, and inability to trust. The authors compare male and
female victims and discuss the clinical implications of abuse.Abstract Teaser