Sibling Incest: Adjustment in Adult Women Survivors

Abstract

To measure adjustment of women survivors of sibling incest, 35 adult female survivors and a matched comparison group of 21 women were interviewed and completed questionnaires regarding their adult adjustment. Sibling incest survivors reported significantly higher anxiety, depression, hostility, and adult victimization and lower self-esteem. Beliefs about child sexual abuse mediated the relationship between sibling incest and depression and anxiety for survivors, the majority of whom believed that men cannot be trusted, it is dangerous to let others get close, and that a normal life is not possible for them because of the abuse they suffered. Other forms of child abuse were significantly associated with self-esteem and depression, but not anxiety, among survivors. Adult victimization was also associated with increased depression and anxiety in survivors.