These current findings are not consistent with findings from an earlier study by our group comparing behavioral vs. trauma checklist definitions of CSA. The previous study found that almost all of the women endorsing CSA on the behavioral questions also reported rape or sexual molestation on the trauma checklist items (Sartor et al., 2012). This discrepancy is not surprising as physically abusive behavior is more prevalent than CSA. it may be perceived as relatively normative harsh physical punishment and therefore not defined as a trauma (abuse or assault) by the participant. For the small percentage that only endorsed trauma checklist CPA (1.5%; n = 66), their experience may not have fit within the behaviorally-defined parameters (i.e. abuse wasn’t endorsed as “often” or the physical abuse could have been perpetrated by someone other than an adult).
