Childhood sexual abuse and later psychological problems: neither necessary, sufficient nor acting alone

Abstract

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the relationships between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and other adverse development factors and a range of adverse adult psychological and socioeconomic outcomes. Postal questionnaires were sent to a random community sample of women with a screen included for CSA. Two hundred and fifty‐four women who reported CSA were interviewed as well as an equal‐sized control group with no CSA. A range of negative outcomes in adulthood were more likely to occur in women reporting CSA compared with controls. These outcomes included psychiatric disorder, lowered self‐esteem, deliberate self‐harm, increased sexual problems, adolescent pregnancy, difficulties in intimate relationships, decline in socioeconomic status and increased likelihood of separation or divorce. The results after logistic regression modelling demonstrated that a variety of childhood risk factors such as poor parental mental health, relationship to parents and being physically punished as well as CSA contributed to negative adult outcomes. The precise patterns varied for each negative outcome. It was concluded that CSA is best conceptualised as a non‐specific risk factor for a wide range of adverse psychological and social adult outcomes. It is frequently found in families which have other risk factors for adverse outcomes. Copyright © 1997 Whurr Publishers Ltd.