Impact of Sexual Abuse on Self-Esteem and Psychological Well-Being of Adolescent Girls

Dr Vidhya Ravindranadan Dr Vidhya Ravindranadan,John Jacob M John Jacob M

doi:10.25215/0501.120

Dr Vidhya Ravindranadan Dr Vidhya Ravindranadan, John Jacob M John Jacob M

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.25215/0501.120

Copy DOI

Abstract

Child sexual abuse is a universal problem that occurs across gender, caste, color, religion, ethnic and socio-economic group. Sexual abuse creates intense trauma and emotional problems which create serious short term and long term psychological and behavioural problems.81.53% of the total incidence of child sexual abuse was reported amongst children between 11 and 18 years of age. The pre-adolescent to the adolescent child seems to be most at risk (Kacker, Varadan, Kumar, 2007). The present study intends to assess the impact of sexual abuse on self esteem and psychological well being of adolescent girls. Sample consists of 75 adolescent girls aged 12-18 years. 25 sexually abused girls from rehabilitating government children’s home, 25 non-abused girls from a destitute home for children and 25 girls staying with parents. Instruments used are Self-Esteem Scale (SES-DSDU) and Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS-SDCP). The results indicate the sexual abuse has a significant impact on self esteem and psychological well-being of adolescent girls.

Highlights

Child sexual abuse is a universal problem that occurs across gender, caste, color, religion, ethnic and socio-economic group
The sex distribution is Impact of Sexual Abuse on Self-Esteem and Psychological Well-Being of Adolescent Girls approximately equal, but adolescent females are twice as likely to be abused as adolescent males, largely because of the frequency of sexual abuse
The 1st group has the lowest mean score of 49.64 in self esteem than the non-abused institutionalized children and the children that stay at home

Summary

Introduction

Child sexual abuse is a universal problem that occurs across gender, caste, color, religion, ethnic and socio-economic group. Have consistently found that adolescent survivors of child sexual abuse report greater depression and general psychological distress, more conduct problems and aggression, lower self-esteem, and more substance abuse problems. There will be significant mean difference on self-esteem among three study groups. 2. There will be significant mean difference on psychological well-beingamong three study groups.

Results

Conclusion