Further validation of the cognitions and behaviors scale using a clinical sample of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Objective: To further assess the psychometric qualities of the Cognitions and Behaviors Scale (CABS) using a clinical sample of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Method: The CABS and other standardized measures, along with a demographic questionnaire, were completed by 148 adult female clients seeking counseling services at an agency that specializes in treating survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Results: Data from the present clinical sample suggests that the CABS has strong internal consistency as well as strong concurrent validity. The mean scores of participants in the clinical sample were significantly higher than two subgroups of the norming sample. Conclusions: The results suggest that the CABS can be validly and reliably used in a clinical setting with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Additional data should be obtained to further assess its test-retest reliability and its efficacy as an outcome measure.