The mental health community has become increasingly aware of the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). A recent national survey found that 16% of adult males and 27% of adult females had experienced some type of CSA. This paper reviews the empirical literature in an attempt to answer the following questions: (1) Is CSA correlated with the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood?; and (2) If so, which CSA variables are associated with greater posttraumatic stress symptomatology? Research appears to indicate that there is indeed a significant correlation between CSA and the diagnosis of PTSD among adult females seeking treatment. Furthermore, current research also points to a number of specific CSA characteristics which have been found to be correlated with greater posttraumatic stress symptomatology among this population. These variables include physical contact; penetration or intercourse; use of force, violence, or threats; and the temporal variables of increased frequency of abuse, longer duration of abuse, and early age of onset. Various methodological problems are reviewed, the two-fold research question is addressed, and suggestions for future research are offered. Contains 36 references. (Author/JBJ)