Experienced Childhood Sexual Abuse Research Articles

Are Childhood Sexual Abuse and Intimate Safety in Adult Intimate Relationships Correlated?

Individuals who have experienced childhood sexual abuse report numerous problems in intimate relationships, including their physical and sexual experience. Satisfying sexuality arises from intimate safety, the prerequisite for which is mutual trust, which, however, can be impaired due to betrayal in individuals who were traumatized by sexual abuse in their childhood. In a study with 168 participants, we were interested in differences in intimate safety within intimate relationships (measured by the ISQ – Intimate Safety Questionnaire subscale which refers to sexual safety). Differences were studied within two groups of couples – those who had experienced childhood sexual abuse and those who had never experienced the sexual abuse in childhood. We found that among the participating couples, in 42 (50%) couples at least one of the partners experienced at least one type of sexual abuse. One or more types of sexual abuse in childhood were experienced by 12 (14%) men and 39 (46.4%) women. We also found that in couples who had experienced sexual abuse in childhood and couples who had not, there is a difference in intimate safety in their sexual life. The couples who had not experienced sexual abuse in childhood reported statistically significantly higher sexual safety in their intimate relationships. We can conclude that childhood sexual abuse trauma is expressed in sexual intimacy with mistrust, which through the decreased feeling of safety inhibits individuals’ vulnerability and reduces the opportunity to create intimacy. The survey was limited by a biased sample.

Female-Perpetrated Child Sexual Abuse: Prevalence Rates in Germany

ABSTRACTResearch on female-perpetrated child sexual abuse, especially maternal sexual abuse, is scarce. Prevalences are assumed to be lower compared to male-perpetrated abuse; however, representative studies including female perpetrators are rare. Experiences of male- and female-perpetrated child sexual abuse were examined in a representative German sample. Questions included experiences of hands-on and penetrative sexual abuse. The perpetrator-victim relationship was assessed to calculate prevalences of maternal sexual abuse. A total of 2516 participants (54.53% female, 14–91 years) were questioned and prevalences, as well as group differences between victims of male perpetrators compared to female perpetrators, were calculated. Overall, 10.5% of all participants reported experiences of child sexual abuse. Female perpetrators were involved in 9.9% of the cases, i.e. 1.0% of all participants. Victims of female perpetrators were significantly more often male. A quarter of the adult female perpetrators were the mother figure of the child. The findings suggest that the share of female perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse is rather small; concurrently, female perpetration is insufficiently recognized. Especially male victims seem to be at risk for sexual abuse by female perpetrators. Contacts for children especially within the professional support system need to be aware of the existence of female perpetrators.

A retrospective approach to examining child abuse disclosure

BackgroundOften times, a child’s disclosure is the only forensic evidence available in child abuse cases. Therefore, understanding disclosure patterns of suspected child abuse victims plays a critical role in the forensic investigations of both child physical abuse (CPA) and child sexual abuse (CSA) cases. ObjectiveTo explore adults’ retrospective reports about childhood disclosure of CPA and CSA. Participants and settingCollege students (N = 907) were screened for reported histories of CSA (n = 94) or CPA (n = 109). MethodsThrough an online survey, participants provided anonymous information regarding CSA and CPA experiences along with information about any disclosure events or opportunities that they have encountered since the abuse. ResultsAmong the adults reporting CSA histories, 50 % indicated disclosing the abuse during childhood; 80 % indicated any lifetime disclosure. Among the adults indicating CPA histories, 32 % reportedly disclosed the abuse to someone during childhood with 52 % reporting any lifetime disclosure. For both groups, length of delay until disclosure was bimodal with many individuals reporting immediately and many waiting considerable time. Among adults reporting CSA, a minority (16 %) indicated the abuse came to the attention of authorities, with even fewer CPA cases (8%) reporting authorities were aware of their abuse. Denial and recantation in a formal setting was infrequent regardless of abuse type reported. ConclusionsGiven that participants experiencing CSA and CPA both reported low levels of denial and recantation, forensic investigators and practitioners may benefit from considering consistent interviewing approaches and protocols, regardless of the type of abuse suspected.

Parenting Among Mothers Who Experienced Child Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) represents a significant public health problem. While CSA is associated with several adverse outcomes, recent attention has been given to its effect on maternal parenting. Despite a growing literature on this topic, a comprehensive systematic review has not been conducted. Thus, this review aimed to fill this gap. Several search strategies were used, including searches in academic databases. Two reviewers completed screening, full-text review, data extraction, and quality determinations. Extracted qualitative data were synthesized for the 108 studies meeting inclusion criteria. The primary themes emerging from women's accounts of the effects of CSA on their current parenting included abuse of child, breastfeeding, child-rearing practices, coping related to parenting, mother-child relationship, perceptions of child, perceptions of motherhood, and protection of children from abuse. Given the current lack of interventions designed for these mothers, the results of this review may aid in the development of evidence-based interventions.

Parents' Experiences of Their Child's Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse.

A child's disclosure of sexual victimization is a difficult experience for parents and has been associated with traumatization, disbelief, denial, self-blame, and clinical difficulties. To date, most studies on parents' responses have been quantitative assessments of the psychological impact of disclosure on parents. A paucity of research has qualitatively explored mothers' experiences of their child's disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA) and fathers' experiences have been even further neglected. The current study seeks to characterize parents' experiences of their child's disclosure of CSA and to uncover the process-oriented nature of parental responses. This qualitative study, using a grounded theory approach to analysis, involved interviews with 10 mothers and four fathers whose children (3-18years) had experienced sexual abuse. Three themes emerged from the analysis. The first theme-making sense of the abuse in retrospect-captured the process through which parents sought to make sense of their child's disclosure, focusing on why their child had not disclosed the abuse to them earlier, and how they had noticed something was wrong but misattributed their child's behavior to other factors. The second theme-negotiating parental identity as protector-reflected how parents' identity as a protector was challenged, their perception of their world had been forever altered, and they now experienced themselves as hypervigilant and overprotective. The final theme-navigating the services-pertained to parents' struggle in navigating child protection and police services, and feelings of being isolated and alone. These findings highlight the need for empathy and parental support following child disclosure of sexual victimization.

Posttraumatic cognitions, childhood sexual abuse characteristics, and posttraumatic stress disorder in men who have sex with men

BackgroundHigh rates of experience of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among in men who have sex with men (MSM) place this population at increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ObjectiveThis study explores how specific characteristics of CSA relate to posttraumatic cognitions (PTCs) and explores the role that specific PTCs play in the relationship between CSA and PTSD in MSM. MethodsTwo-hundred and ninety MSM completed a CSA interview, the Davidson Trauma Scale, and the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. ResultsControlling for sociodemographic factors, CSA involving physical injury and CSA with intense fear were associated with higher levels of PTCs about the self and world, but not with self-blame. We did not find significant associations for CSA involving a family member, CSA with penetration, or duration or frequency of CSA with any subscale on the PTCI. Experiencing CSA for the first time during adolescence was associated with higher self-blame. Analyses revealed that physical injury and intense fear each had indirect effects on PTSD symptoms through negative cognitions about the self and world. First CSA episode during adolescence had an indirect effect on PTSD symptoms through self-blame. CSAs accounted for 16.7% and PTCs accounted for 31.7% of the variance in PTSD, underlining the importance of PTCs. ConclusionsAssessing for physical injury, intense fear, and age at first CSA are particularly relevant to PTCs and of critical importance to advancing assessment and treatment strategies for PTSD in MSM.

Experiences of fatherhood among men who were sexually abused in childhood

BackgroundFatherhood is a complex psychological process, which is shaped at a profound level by reflections on past childhood memories and parenting experienced in childhood. Fathers who were sexually abused in childhood may experience particular challenges for their fathering identity and parenting role. ObjectiveThis qualitative study explored the experiences of fatherhood for men who were sexually abused in childhood and how they perceived themselves in the fathering role. Participants and SettingEleven participants were recruited to the study from three therapy services for adult survivors of abuse in the Republic of Ireland. MethodsData collection comprised face to face semi-structured interviews, which were audio recorded and subsequently transcribed verbatim. Data analysis drew on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and two superordinate themes with associated subthemes were identified. ResultsParticipants’ experience of childhood sexual abuse provided a lens through which they experienced fatherhood and themselves in a fathering role. Fatherhood influenced participants to confront unintegrated aspects of the trauma they experienced in childhood, which manifested in hypervigilance with regard to their children’s safety and doubt that they were good enough fathers. However, fatherhood also offered an opportunity to heal. This occurred through striving to provide a better father-child relationship and through connection in restorative relationships, including the therapeutic relationship. ConclusionFatherhood was seen as a potential resource for positive change and can influence long held internal working models of the self and others.

Hope and Fulfillment After Complex Trauma: Using Mixed Methods to Understand Healing.

Research has shown that the experience of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) can increase the rates of physical and emotional sequela, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and physical pain. However, little is known about the healing journeys for those women who, after surviving CSA, also experience unwanted sexual experiences (USE) as a young adult. The goal of this mixed method study is to compare identity, distress, and positive health outcomes for survivors of CSA and USE with those of women who have survived USE alone. First, 206 women completed a survey that evaluated mental health distress, trauma centrality, and health indicators, and these women were invited to take part in an additional interview. A subsample of 24 women agreed to be interviewed with a narrative interview that examined trauma recovery from a holistic perspective. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed contextual and internal barriers and facilitators of healing. Eight qualitative dimensions were derived from code frequencies of the emerging 50 qualitative codes, including Normalization, Denial, Negative Impact, Positive Coping, Rumination, Identity Healing, Hope, and Fulfillment Healing, and Engagement Healing. We then used t-tests to compare the mean code frequencies of these code complexes for survivors of CSA/USE and USE alone, and the significant findings revealed hypotheses to be tested in the larger quantitative sample. H1: Survivors of CSA will have less denial than USE alone; H2: Survivors of CSA will have higher Negative Impact scores than USE alone, and H3: Survivors of CSA will have more Hope and Fulfillment than USE alone. H1 was supported; survivors of both CSA and USE had a significantly higher mean Centrality Scores than Survivors of USE alone. H2 was supported, and all negative impact scores were significantly higher for the survivors of both CSA and USE than survivors of USE alone. H3 was partially supported. Survivors of both CSA and USE had significantly higher mean Post-Traumatic growth scores. However, survivors of USE alone had significantly higher means for Sense of Coherence and Self-Compassion scores. Implications for practice are discussed.

Associations Among Psychological Distress, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Social Support, and Resilience in Incarcerate Men

This study examines the association between psychological distress and two aggravating factors (childhood adversity and substance use) and two mitigating factors (social support and resilience) in a correctional sample of 943 men. Participants completed a questionnaire probing psychiatric distress using the DASS (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale) and substance use behaviors using the ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were measured incrementally and cumulatively. ACEs were reported by a majority (57.6%) of the sample. The number of ACEs and childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse experiences were strongly and consistently associated with prison-based psychological distress. The graded relationship found between ACE and psychological distress among incarcerated men supports the cumulative risk hypothesis. Prison-based substance use was positively associated with psychological distress, whereas resilience and, to a lesser extent, social support were negatively associated with distress. These findings can be used to inform the design of trauma-sensitive integrated interventions in correctional settings for men.

Intimate Partner Sexual Violence and Mental Health Indicators Among Chinese Emerging Adults.

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) among emerging adults, including heterosexuals and sexual minorities in the Chinese population, is poorly understood. Focusing on college students, the objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of IPSV among Chinese emerging adults, examine the association between sexual orientation and IPSV, and evaluate the mental health and quality of life of survivors of IPSV. Data were collected from four university campuses in Hong Kong. A total of 1,015 participants were included in the data analysis. The prevalence of IPSV as identified by Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS)-2 was 12.1%. There was no gender difference in the prevalence of IPSV. Multiple logistic regression found that being older; having experienced childhood sexual abuse and having a smoking habit; and belonging to a sexual minority were factors associated with IPSV. Multiple linear regression found that IPSV survivors were more likely to have higher levels of anxiety and depression, more severe psychosomatic symptoms, and poorer quality of life in three domains: psychological, social relationships, and environment when compared with those without IPSV experience. The documented factors underscored the importance of awareness that men and sexual minorities might incur IPSV, which should receive more attention in IPSV prevention programs. Also, interventions for IPSV survivors should be targeted at improving their mental health and quality of life and sex education should place more emphasis on sexual consent and sexual health in dating relationships.

Exploration of the Relationship between Severe and Complex Disabilities and Child Sexual Abuse: A Call for Relevant Research

ABSTRACTDespite the awareness that children with severe and complex difficulties experience child sexual abuse (CSA), the development of research in this area is still in its infancy. This call for relevant research seeks to identify the main gaps in knowledge in order to inform future debate, potential research questions, and raise issues for practice. Themes are identified relevant to researchers and practitioners globally. These include the complexity and duality of definition: recognition of CSA; barriers to communication with children and between services; diversity of segregated and inclusive settings; interaction of age and gender; adult and peer abuse in institutions; sexuality and disability; and intrusive care and medical practices. Recommendations for future research and practice in creating safe environments are provided.

Soul Murder

Abstract This article explores the Catholic imaginaries of survivors of clergy sexual abuse by focusing on soul murder, a psychoanalytic concept that the survivor movement appropriated and which has now become central to Catholic survivors’ understandings of their trauma as children. Soul murder names the experience of child sexual abuse as the annihilation of a child’s network of relationships and the ongoing loss as adults of basic relational skills such as intimacy and trust. In addition to losing these social networks, clergy abuse victims frequently lose their relationship with God. This article provides examples of survivors’ efforts to resurrect their faith by reimagining and reconstructing their relationships with one another, God, the sacraments, and the Roman Catholic Church. Through their material culture, reform efforts, home liturgies, and protests, survivors embody a Catholic imaginary whose abundance both enabled their childhood abuse and gives meaning to their adult suffering.

Invisible Bruises: Theoretical and Practical Considerations for Black/Afro-Latina Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

This article focuses on the intersectionality of race, gender, and violence in the lives of Black/Afro-Latinas who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. First, we discuss the trauma of slavery, racism, and colonization in Latin America and the Caribbean, which objectifies Black bodies and renders Blackness invisible. Second, we identify institutional and interpersonal barriers to seeking trauma support. Third, we present preliminary findings from a Listening Circle among survivors who participated in the Black Latinidad: Building Siblinghood to End Child Sexual Abuse Project. Finally, we propose a racially and culturally specific, trauma-informed approach that draws on the strengths of survivors and centralizes their voices and how to intervene.

Child Sexual Abuse among a Representative Sample of Quebec High School Students: Prevalence and Association with Mental Health Problems and Health-Risk Behaviors.

Objective:The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of child sexual abuse in a representative sample of Quebec high school youths and document its associations with mental health problems and health-risk behaviors.Method:Data were drawn from the Quebec Youths’ Romantic Relationships Survey, which involved a one-stage stratified cluster sampling of 34 Quebec high schools from Grades 10 to 12. A total of 8,194 youths (mean age = 15.35) were recruited. The survey assessed child sexual abuse, mental health problems (psychological distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, suicidality), health services utilization, and health-risk behaviors (alcohol, drug, and cannabis use). Gender-stratified multivariate analyses were used to assess associations between child sexual abuse and mental health problems and health-risk behaviors while controlling for confounding demographic variables and other forms of child maltreatment experienced in childhood.Results:A total of 14.9% of girls and 3.9% of boys reported having experienced child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse was independently associated with an increased risk of psychological distress, greater health services utilization, and increased health-risk behaviors, after controlling for other forms of childhood maltreatment experienced.Conclusions:Child sexual abuse is prevalent among youths in Quebec and is associated with an increased risk of a host of negative consequences. Continued efforts in the development of early detection strategies as well as prevention and intervention programs are warranted.

성인의 아동기 성학대가 정신화에 미치는 영향에서 외상경험 개방에 대한 정서적 지지의 조절효과

성인의 아동기 성학대가 정신화에 미치는 영향에서 외상경험 개방에 대한 정서적 지지의 조절효과

Risk factors for child sexual abuse victimization: A meta-analytic review.

Experiencing child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major public health problem with serious consequences for CSA victims. For effective assessment and (preventive) intervention, knowledge on risk factors and their effects is crucial. Here, the aim was to synthesize research on associations between (putative) risk factors and CSA victimization. In total, 765 (putative) risk factors were extracted from 72 studies, which were classified into 35 risk domains. A series of three-level meta-analyses produced a significant mean effect for 23 of the 35 risk domains ranging from r = .101 to r = .360. The strongest effects were found for prior victimization of the child and/or its family members, such as prior CSA victimization of the child and/or siblings (r = .360), prior victimization of the child other than child abuse (r = .340), prior or concurrent forms of child abuse in the child's home environment (r = .267), and a parental history of child abuse victimization (r = .265). Other identified risks were related to parental problems (e.g., intimate partner violence, r = .188), parenting problems (e.g., low quality of parent-child relation, r = .292), a non-nuclear family structure (e.g., having a stepfather, r = .118), family problems (e.g., social isolation, r = .191), child problems (e.g., having a mental/physical chronic condition, r = .193), and other child characteristics (e.g., being female, r = .290). Moderator analyses suggested that contact CSA victimization may be better predicted than noncontact CSA victimization. It was concluded that an ecological perspective on preventing CSA victimization is necessary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Re-traumatization Cycle: Sexual Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Club Drug Users

Background: Club drug users are high risk and vulnerable population for adverse drug-related consequences and sexual risk behaviors. Few investigations have addressed the possible interrelationship between early trauma and PTSD among young club drug using populations. Objective: Exposure to traumatic experiences – especially in childhood, has been linked to risk behaviors exposure and substance use disorder. This study aimed to assess and compare drug use patterns and the presence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiences among ecstasy and LSD users with and without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Method: This cross-sectional study employed targeted sampling and ethnographic mapping approaches via face-to-face interviews conducted at bars and electronic music festivals. The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs questionnaire was used as the primary assessment instrument. Participants were from 18 to 39 years of age, had used ecstasy and/or LSD in the 90 days prior to the interview, and were not in treatment for alcohol and other drug problems. Results: Out of the 240 participants, 123 (51.2%) presented PTSD symptoms. Those presenting PTSD were younger, less educated, with lower income, and presented higher drug use severity than those without PTSD symptoms. Moreover, a higher prevalence of sexual risk behavior was verified among those with PTSD. There was an association between PTSD symptoms and CSA history, where 64.2% of individuals with PTSD also presented CSA, compared to 47% among those without PTSD (p = .028). Individuals with co-occurring history of CSA and PTSD symptoms reported earlier use of ecstasy, LSD, and cocaine compared to individuals with a history of CSA but without PTSD. Conclusions: In the present study, participants with a history of PTSD demonstrate a history of CSA, as well as pronounced severity in several areas – precocity of use, severity of addiction, and greater exposure to situations of sexual risk. Thus, a cycle of traumatization may be established through early potential trauma, which can remain unprocessed and contribute to earlier and more severe substance use and sexual risk behaviors. Identification of PTSD symptoms and risk for HIV and other STIs among young club drug users is critical to address focused treatment approaches for this vulnerable population.

Exploring the Effects of Early Life Sexual Abuse in Later Life among Catholic Nuns

This paper explores the variety of associated responses in later life to early life sexual abuse reported by aging Roman Catholic nuns (heretofore referred to as women religious). Specific attention is given to current effects and the strengths and resources these participants identify when integrating their personal histories of sexual abuse. The influences of their personal spirituality and institutional religious life are explicitly explored as factors in addressing the negative effects upon them in later life, which research participants associated with their sexual abuse.
 Research on sexual abuse and its effects is extensive, due to a growing awareness and concern about the prevalence of sexual abuse against children and sexual violence against women (Koss et al., 1994). However, investigating sexual abuse rates and its effects among aging populations and specifically Roman Catholic women religious is severely limited. In response to this limitation, Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine conducted a study to advance knowledge about “the consequences of sexual trauma among Catholic nuns in the United States and to compare the child sexual abuse experiences of Sisters with these figures for lay women” (Chibnall, Wolf, Duckro, 1998, p. 4). Twelve participants were recruited from this original study who were sexually abused before the age of 18 and are 65+ years of age.

Child sexual abuse, disclosure and PTSD: A systematic and critical review.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a prevalent exposure with potentially serious, negative health consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its symptomatology. To conduct a systematic and critical review in order to investigate the relationship between CSA disclosure patterns and PTSD. Studies included clinical, college and community-based samples of adults' and children's experiences of CSA. We conducted systematic searches in five databases (Medline, Embase, PyscINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Sociological Abstracts) from database inception to October 17, 2017 using index terms and keywords for CSA, disclosure, and PTSD. We included any English-language, primary studies involving children or adults with experiences of CSA that used quantitative research designs to explore the relationship between disclosure and PTSD. We used systematic critical review methodology in order to investigate the relationship between disclosure and PTSD symptoms and disorders. We also investigated factors that explained the relationship between disclosure and PTSD, such as individual, exposure or environmental factors. Twenty-two articles reporting 20 studies were included in this review. Studies assessing the relationship between CSA and PTSD tended to account for personal (e.g., gender) and CSA exposure variables (e.g., severity of CSA) only. While authors generally used validated measures to assess for PTSD symptoms and disorders, they tended to use author-generated or unvalidated measures to assess for disclosure process variables. The relationship between factors that affect disclosure, and responses to disclosure, are not well theorized in quantitative literature. Study findings suggest important avenues for future research, such as the need to assess disclosure longitudinally.

Men with childhood sexual abuse histories: Disclosure experiences and links with mental health.

There is limited research on the disclosure experiences of men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and on how such experiences might impact mental health outcomes. The current study described men's disclosure experiences and examined the role of disclosure characteristics on mental well-being (internalizing and externalizing behaviors, substance use, resilience). Men (N = 253) from across Canada and the U.S. were recruited through websites for males with sexual abuse histories. Men aged 18-59 years anonymously completed an online study on their sexual abuse, disclosure experiences, and mental health outcomes. Findings indicated that 77.9% of men disclosed their sexual abuse, although they waited an average of 15.4 years before sharing their experience. Once disclosed, 64.4% of the men reported a positive response (e.g., support), while 35.6% reported a negative response (e.g., blame). Regression analyses indicated that a greater delay in disclosure predicted greater externalizing behaviors (B = .49, p < .05), although this was a small effect (Cohen's f2 = 0.02). Additional disclosure variables were associated with components of externalizing (aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors) and internalizing (somatic complaints) behaviors. These results require replication in future studies. However, they do suggest that efforts need to be undertaken to address the barriers that hinder men from disclosing their sexual abuse and to ensure that men are supported once they disclose.