The Relation of Early Abuse to Cognition and Coping in Depression

An investigation was conducted to assess theattributional style, self-esteem, and coping ofcurrently depressed women with and without a reportedhistory of childhood physical or sexual abuse. Whereas a history of abuse showed few associations withthese cognitions, individuals reporting more intrusivememories of abuse had lower self-esteem, a more negativeattributional style, and coped through more avoidance. When severity of depression wascontrolled, abuse history and intrusive memories stillwere associated with lower levels of positiveself-esteem.