This study examines short- and long-term maladaptive outcomes in a sample of sexually
abused females and a comparison group. The sample consists of intrafamilial sexual abuse victims
ages 6–16 years at entry into the study and a demographically similar comparison group.
The outcomes examined included measures of behavior and psychological problems such as
aggressive behavior, depression, dissociation, and low self-esteem; and measures at two time
points, first at entry into the study (median age 11 years) and approximately 7 years later (median
age 18 years). The specific questions being addressed were (a) whether subgroups or profiles,
based on the specific characteristics of the sexual abuse experienced, can be identified in this
sample of abused females; and (b) whether these profile groups predict different patterns of
adverse short- or long-term outcomes.