Behind the Playground Walls Sexual Abuse in Preschools

by Waterman, Jill; Kelly, Robert J.; Oliveri, Mary Kay; McCord, Jane

• ISBN13: 9780898625233
• ISBN10: 0898625238
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1993-01-22
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

Representing over six years of research with children reporting nonritualistic and ritualistic sexual abuse in preschool settings, BEHIND THE PLAYGROUND WALLS is a clear, comprehensive examination of the effects of reported molestation on young children and their families. Based on and data gathered from the children, parents, and therapists in a comparison study, the book covers the effects on children's behavior, fears, PTSD symptoms, sexuality, achievement, school performance, and self-concept. Moreover, the ways in which the children and their families coped with reports of abuse and the factors associated with positive short- and long-term outcome are detailed.

Author Biography

Jill Waterman, PhD, is Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Coordinator of the UCLA Psychology Clinic. In addition to numerous articles on aspects of child trauma, she is the coauthor of Sexual Abuse of Young Children and Behind the Playground Walls. She is also a practicing psychotherapist in the Los Angeles area.

Table of Contents

PART I Scope of the Problem of Ritualistic and Nonritualistic Sexual Abuse in Preschools
A Tale of Two Communities	3	(8)
Jane McCord
Background Literature	11	(19)
Jill Waterman
Sharon Ben-Meir
Study Methods and Procedures	30	(18)
Robert J. Kelly
Limitations of the Study	48	(7)
Robert J. Kelly
PART II Content and Process of Disclosures of Sexual Abuse in Preschools
Perspectives on What Happened to the Children	55	(10)
Jill Waterman
Disclosure Patterns in Psychotherapy	65	(14)
Jane McCord
Lauren Shapiro Gonzalez
PART III Effects on Children
Overall Level of Distress	79	(14)
Robert J. Kelly
Cognitive and School-Related Effects	93	(13)
Robert Lusk
Emotional Effects	106	(14)
Robert J. Kelly
Sharon Ben-Meir
Effects on Sexuality	120	(14)
Robert J. Kelly
Effects on Interpersonal Relationships	134	(8)
Mary Kay Oliveri
Comparison of Effects of Reported Ritualistic and Nonritualistic Sexual Abuse	142	(27)
Jill Waterman
PART IV Effects on Others
Impact on Parents	169	(8)
Jane McCord
Impact on Family Relationships	177	(13)
Jill Waterman
Impact on Therapists	190	(15)
Mary Kay Oliveri
Jill Waterman
PART V Understanding the Effects: Coping Patterns and Mediators
Parental Reactions and Coping Patterns	205	(17)
Jane McCord
Mediators of Effects on Children: What Enhances Optimal Functioning and Promotes Healing?	222	(18)
Jill Waterman
Robert J. Kelly
Clinical Implications	240	(21)
Mary Kay Oliveri
Martha Cockriel
Michele Dugan
PART VI Final Considerations
Uses and Abuses of Research: Cross-Currents of Community Exploitation	261	(17)
Roland C. Summit
The Research Perspective	278	(6)
David Finkelhor
Kathleen Kendall-Tackett
Conclusions and Recommendations	284	(5)
Jill Waterman
Robert J. Kelly
Mary Kay Oliveri
Jane McCord
References	289	(12)
Index	301