Bridging Disciplinary Boundaries (January 11 - 14, 2007)

ABSTRACT Research suggests that adult women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) vary on whether and how they experience long-term effects. According to current literature, the variation appears to be due to risk and protective factors. In addition, the variation also appears to occur in connection with certain factors that function to help buffer the effects of CSA. The purpose of this study was to investigate what protective factors best predicted resilience in a sample of 114 female adults who were members of AMAC (Adults Molested As Children). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine which combination of protective factors best predicted resilience. After controlling for age of onset and level of physical abuse, the combination of protective factors including high control against deviance, ability to work well with others, and a sense of acceptance and belonging to a family accounted for 49% of variance in resilience among this group of AMACs.