Authenticity of recovered sexual abuse memories: A Rorschach study

✍ Scribed by Frank Leavitt; Susan M. Labott

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 745 KB
• Volume: 9
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0894-9867
• DOI: 10.1002/jts.2490090307

✦ Synopsis

Distinguishing authentic abuse from false memory among adults who recover memories of childhood sexual trauma has far-reaching significance. This study initially examined 13 previous& reported Rorschach signs of sexual abuse in women not abused, and women sexually abused (and not amnestic). The abuse signs were more prevalent in the abused group. A sexual abuse index composed of 8 signs correct& classified 93% of the abused, and 98% of the nonabused group. The index was then applied to women who recovered memories of abuse; some had analogues of dissociation in their protocols and others did not. Those exhibiting dissociative signs produced more signs of sexual abuse. The index classified 88% of the dissociative group as abused, but on& 24% of the nondissociative group. The relevance of these findings for assessing authenticity of recovered memories is explored.