Young adult women who had experienced incest and a matched
comparison group were examined for differences in interpersonal
functioning, sexual functioning, self-esteem, and emotional
adjustment. Those reporting incest reported significantly poorer
general social adjustment, especially in dating relationships. They
had significantly lower levels of sexual satisfaction, lower
self-esteem, and distorted body images, as well as greater depression
and lower positive affect. These characteristics may be related not
only to the incest experience but to the general family environment in
which incest occurred, as significant differences in family
characteristics were also observed.