Relationship of attributional style, depression, and posttrauma distress among children who suffered physical or sexual abuse.

This study examined the relationship of attributional style, posttrauma, and depressive symptoms among children who have suffered either physical or sexual abuse. Ninety-eight children (67 physically abused, 31 sexually abused) were administered a depression inventory, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index (PTSD-RI), and Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire (CASQ). With regard to group differences, the sexual abuse group scored significantly higher on the PTSD-RI, whereas the physical abuse group scored higher on the CASQ Composite for Negative Events. Results also indicated that attributional style predicted depression beyond the variance accounted for by abuse type (i.e., physical or sexual). However, the best predictor of PTSD-RI scores was an interaction effect between abuse type and negative attributional style. Clinical implications of these findings for children who suffer abuse are discussed.