Coping style and therapy in the adjustment of abused and non-abused women

Research has demonstrated the depth and breadth of psychological distress that can result from an abusive childhood. While it is known that many individuals who have histories of childhood trauma undergo some form of psychological treatment, few studies have looked more broadly at the effects of therapy for this group.;This study examined a heterogeneous sample of 150 women with and without reported histories of abuse, recruited through newspaper advertisements, and explored the relationship of experiences in therapy and their current functioning, coping style, and symptomology. Furthermore, this study examined how women's coping styles, type of abuse, treatment experience, and satisfaction with treatment relate to current functioning. Participants completed a self-report packet including questions on demographic variables, experiences in psychological treatment, coping style, experiences of childhood maltreatment, adult social functioning and current symptomology.;Results of a MANCOVA showed no relationship between therapy experience, coping style, adaptability, and current symptomology, regardless of reported childhood trauma. Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that women's reported history of childhood abuse and therapy experience did not relate to their current adaptability. However, the regression did demonstrate that over sixty percent of the variability in adult adjustment could be predicted by knowledge of current symptomology, the coping styles of seeking emotional support, venting and mental disengagement, age, and level of education. Specifically, the tendency to seek emotional social support when stressed, as often recommended by therapists, was found to be positively associated with adult adjustment while the tendency to focus on and vent one's feelings and to mentally disengage was negatively related to these women's adult functioning.