A Comparative Analysis of the Trauma Symptom Inventory-2 Scale Scores of Adults Sexually Abused as Children Perpetrated by Clergy and Non-Clergy
[Thesis]
Dorris, Deva
Madero, James N.
Alliant International University
2020
67
Psy.D.
Alliant International University
2020
The present study investigates the difference between trauma-related symptoms and Trauma Symptom Inventory- 2nd edition (TSI-2) scale scores for adult survivors of child sexual assault (ASCSA) perpetrated by clergy and non-clergy groups. The present study broadened the definition of clergy to include leaders from other religious denominations. The sample was comprised of archival data and consisted of 37 clergy perpetrated and 23 non-clergy perpetrated ASCSA. These participants completed a demographic questionnaire in addition to the TSI-2. The present study resulted in four clinically elevated scale scores on TSI-2 profiles for ASCSA perpetrated by clergy and non-clergy. Subscales Posttraumatic Stress (TRAUMA), Intrusive Experiences (IE), and Defensive Avoidance (DA) were clinically elevated in both groups, while Sexual Concerns (SXD-SC) was clinically elevated only for the non-clergy perpetrated group. There were two scales that reached statistical significance when the two groups were compared. These included TSI-2 subscales Anxious Arousal- Hyperarousal (AA-H) and Insecure Attachment- Relational Avoidance (IA-RA). Overall the data suggests that the experience of CSA results in trauma-related symptoms in adulthood regardless of abuse by clergy or non-clergy perpetrator.