Social workers have identified an association between a history of
childhood sexual abuse and impairment in emotional, behavioral,
cognitive, and interpersonal functioning in adult survivors. This
article examines similarities and differences in posttraumatic stress
symptomatology between Vietnam veterans and adult survivors of
childhood sexual abuse. Results indicate that the two groups were
similar in that they both scored in the direction suggestive of
posttraumatic symptomatology on various measures. Significant
differences were found on only one measure. Content analysis also
revealed differences in identification of stimuli that evoked
anxiety. Examination of qualitative data provided further support for
a conceptual model using a cognitive perspective. Overall, results
indicated that childhood sexual abuse can be considered a traumatic
event that can result in symptoms similar to those demonstrated by
individuals who have experienced war-related trauma. Implications for
social work practice, policy, and education are discussed.