Psychiatric comorbidity in women with a history of child sexual abuse

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with the development of numerous adult mental disorders. Women with a history of CSA were surveyed concerning their abuse experience and prevalence of DSM-IV mental disorders. The 63 women in the low morbidity cluster had a mean of 1.02 disorders. The 11 women in the moderate morbidity cluster had a mean of 2.36 disorders. The 16 women in the severe morbidity cluster had a mean of 4.75 disorders. Childhood family environment and CSA during preschool years were important predictors of morbidity cluster membership.