This study evaluated the relationship of race/ethnicity to the
severity of symptoms in sexually abused girls. A racially mixed sample
of 134 girls was evaluated on depression, anxiety, and
rth. Race/ethnicity, alone, did not significantly predict
outcome. However, the interaction of race/ethnicity with the type of
abuse was significant. Latina girls who experienced penetration abuse
scored significantly higher on all outcome measures than Latinas whose
abuse did not include penetration. There was an indication that a
trend existed in those girls who experienced penetration abuse for
Latinas to score higher on anxiety and depression than African
American or White girls. Some possible explanations for the findings
are explored.