The present research developed an instrument which assesses
cognitive and behavioral factors purportedly associated with child
sexual abuse histories. Finkelhor and Browne's construct of traumatic
sexualization served as a guide for item selection. The study resulted
in a 38-item reliable measure consisting of four subscales: Avoidance
and Fear of Sexual and Physical Intimacy, Thoughts About Sex, Role of
Sex in Relationships, and Attraction/Interest and Sexuality. Construct
validity was established using a variety of self-report instruments
associated with the dimensions of traumatic sexualization. Sexually
abused women scored higher than nonabused women on three TSS
factors. Physically abused women differed from nonabused women on only
one factor. Sexually abused women did not score significantly higher
than physically abused women on any factors.