Relationship Of Childhood Sexual Abuse Research Articles

Does Multidimensional Self-Concept Mediate the Relationship of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Bullying Victimization on Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescent Girls?

Does Multidimensional Self-Concept Mediate the Relationship of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Bullying Victimization on Deliberate Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescent Girls?

Sexual Victimization and Somatic Complaints in Pregnancy: Examination of Depression as a Mediator

PurposeResearch suggests that women with histories of sexual victimization are more likely to experience somatic complaints in pregnancy. However, prior studies have been limited by homogenous samples, have primarily only examined the relationship of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) to somatic complaints, and have not examined potential mechanisms explaining this association. Thus, the current study examined the relationship between lifetime sexual victimization history and somatic complaints in pregnancy in an ethnically diverse sample of pregnant women. Additionally, depressive symptoms were examined as a mediator of the sexual victimization–somatic complaints relationship. ProceduresWomen were recruited from the waiting room of a university-affiliated obstetrics–gynecology clinic to complete a study of psychological health and negative sexual experiences. The 407 currently pregnant participants who completed measures of their sexual victimization history, depressive symptoms, and somatic complaints were primarily African American (53.6%), low to middle income (75.4%), and reported an unplanned pregnancy (72%). FindingsA total of 27.7% of women had a history of CSA and/or adolescent/adult sexual assault. Mediation analyses using bootstrapping supported depression as a significant mediator of the relationship between sexual victimization and somatic complaints, with a medium-sized effect (κ2 = .09). ConclusionsHaving a history of sexual victimization is associated with risk for poor mental and physical health during pregnancy. There are likely multiple mechanisms explaining the association between sexual victimization and somatic complaints in pregnancy, which should be investigated in future research.

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Psychiatric Disorders in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

This study aimed (1) to assess the relationship of childhood sexual abuse and revictimization with 6 common mental disorders, alcohol and drug dependence, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and suicidal behavior; (2) to test whether gender moderates the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and psychiatric comorbidity; and (3) to assess the association of childhood sexual abuse with health care service use among middle-aged and older adults. The author conducted secondary analyses of data from a population-based, nationally representative sample of 3,493 community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and above who were interviewed in England in 2006 and 2007 as part of the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. The survey assessed childhood sexual abuse (sexual touching and sexual intercourse), sexual abuse revictimization (experiencing both childhood and adult sexual abuse), demographics, health care service use, 6 common mental disorders according to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria (depressive episode, mixed anxiety and depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder), eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug dependence, and suicidal behavior. After weighting, the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse was 8.0%, and the prevalence of revictimization was 1.9%. Multivariate analyses revealed that childhood sexual abuse was significantly associated with mixed anxiety and depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.69; 95% CI, 1.09-2.63), generalized anxiety disorder (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.01-3.11), eating disorders (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.12-3.75), posttraumatic stress disorder (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI, 1.20-4.99), and suicidal ideation (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.27-4.27). Revictimization was significantly related to mixed anxiety and depression (AOR = 3.21; 95% CI, 1.63-6.32), generalized anxiety disorder (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI, 1.07-6.35), phobia (AOR = 4.07; 95% CI, 1.23-13.46), posttraumatic stress disorder (AOR = 8.88; 95% CI, 3.68-21.40), and suicidal ideation (AOR = 3.03; 95% CI, 1.08-8.51). Gender did not moderate the association of childhood sexual abuse or revictimization with psychiatric disorders. Finally, both childhood sexual abuse (AOR = 3.73; 95% CI, 2.03-6.86) and revictimization (AOR = 7.54; 95% CI, 3.09-17.42) were significantly associated with psychiatric hospitalization. The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in this sample was comparable to the prevalence rates identified in previous studies. The associations of childhood sexual abuse and revictimization with a wide range of psychiatric disorders raises further questions about the underlying mechanisms in the elderly. This study also supports the notion that childhood sexual abuse and revictimization are associated with a higher rate of utilization of mental health services.

The Effect of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Adolescent Pregnancy: An Integrative Research Review

This study aims to describe the current research literature on the relationship of childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy and highlight the potential cross-cutting risk factors. Thirteen articles were identified as the basis of this review using Cooper's methodology (1998) for synthesizing research. Articles were categorized according to the levels of evidence proposed by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2005). The majority of the studies identified a relationship between childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy (n=9). Cross-cutting risk factors included female gender, younger age, substance use/abuse, family constellation, parent-child conflict, and mother disengagement. Strategies for nurses to identify pregnant and parenting adolescents who have been sexually victimized are important for early intervention. Resiliency factors of young people who report positive outcomes are highlighted.

The Relationship of Childhood Sexual Abuse to the Marital Attitudes and Readiness for Marriage of Single Young Adult Women

This study investigated the relationship of childhood sexual abuse to marital attitudes and perceived readiness for marriage in single young adult women. A total of 622 women from three universities in the United States completed questionnaires on sexual abuse, attitudes and feelings about marriage, and readiness for marriage. After controlling for age, childhood sexual abuse was found to be related to more negative attitudes about marriage, more negative feelings about marriage, less readiness for marriage, and a longer perceived waiting period before marriage. Implications for premarital counseling and education for victims of childhood sexual abuse are discussed.

Theoretical Perspectives on the Health Problems of Adults Who Experienced Childhood Sexual Abuse

With the wide variety of health problems reported by adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and no universality for any of them, it is vital that treatment and research be theory-based. The purpose of this article is to review the highlights of major theories, models, and conceptual frameworks found in the literature that explain the relationship of CSA with adult health problems, along with their associated moderating or mediating variables. The theories vary in their scope (macro, middle range, or micro) and in the health problems they explain, from purely psychosocial to both physical and psychosocial problems.

The relationship of exposure to childhood sexual abuse to other forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction during childhood

Objective: This study assesses the relationship of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) to nine other categories of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including childhood abuse, neglect, and multiple types of household dysfunction. Methods: Retrospective cohort study data were collected from 17,337 adult health plan members who responded to a survey questionnaire. Regression models adjusted for age, race, and education were used to estimate the strength of the association of CSA to each of the other nine ACEs and a graded relationship between measures of the severity of CSA and the number of other ACEs (ACE score). Results: CSA was reported by 25% of women and 16% of men. In comparison with persons who were not exposed to CSA, the likelihood of experiencing each category of ACE increased 2- to 3.4-fold for women and 1.6- to 2.5-fold for men ( p<.05). The adjusted mean ACE score showed a significant positive graded relationship to the severity, duration, and frequency of CSA and an inverse relationship to age at first occurrence of CSA ( p<.01). Conclusions: CSA is strongly associated with experiencing multiple other forms of ACEs. The strength of this association appears to increase as the measures of severity of the CSA increases. The understanding of the interrelatedness of CSA with multiple ACEs should be considered in the design of studies, treatment, and programs to prevent CSA as well as other forms of ACEs.

Relationship of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Eating Disturbance in Children

To test the hypothesis that childhood sexual abuse increases the risk of eating disturbance in children. Data obtained from 20 sexually abused children were compared with data obtained from 20 nonabused control children. All subjects were female and between the ages of 10 and 15 years. Subjects completed a battery of tests assessing eating disorder behaviors, body image concern, and childhood trauma history. Comparison of the 2 groups revealed that the abused children had higher levels of weight dissatisfaction and purging and dieting behavior. Furthermore, abused children reported eating less than control children when they felt emotionally upset. Abused children were less likely than control children to exhibit perfectionistic tendencies, but more likely to desire thinner body types. This is the first controlled study to examine the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and eating disturbance which relied on children as subjects. The results support previous findings with adult subjects which indicate that a history of childhood sexual abuse is associated with weight and body dissatisfaction, along with purging and dietary restriction.

The relationship of childhood sexual abuse and depression with somatic symptoms and medical utilization.

Previous research suggests that childhood sexual abuse is associated with high rates of retrospectively reported medical utilization and medical problems as an adult. The goal of this study was to determine if abused females have higher rates of medical utilization using self-report and objective measures, compared with non-abused females. A further goal was to determine whether findings of prior research would be replicated when childhood physical abuse level was controlled. This study also examined the moderating impact of depressed mood on current health measures in this population. Six hundred and eight women recruited from a health maintenance organization completed self-report measures of health symptoms for the previous month and doctor visits for the previous year. Objective doctor records over a 2 year period were examined for a subset of 136 of these women. Results showed significantly more self-reported health symptoms and more self-reported doctor visits in abused participants compared with those who reported no childhood history of sexual abuse. Objective doctor visits demonstrated the same pattern with abused participants exhibiting more visits related to out-patient surgery and out-patient internal medicine. In addition, persons who were both sexually abused and depressed tended to visit the emergency room more frequently and to have more in-patient internal medicine and ophthalmology visits than sexually abused participants who reported low depressed mood and non-abused controls. These results replicate prior studies and suggest that current depression may moderate the relationship between sexual abuse and medical problems in adulthood.

Prior interpersonal trauma: The contribution to current PTSD symptoms in female rape victims.

The purpose of the current study was to disentangle the relationship of childhood sexual abuse and childhood physical abuse from prior adult sexual and physical victimization in predicting current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in recent rape victims. The participants were a community sample of 117 adult rape victims assessed within 1 month of a recent index rape for a history of child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, other adult sexual and physical victimization, and current PTSD symptoms. Results from path analyses showed that a history of child sexual abuse seems to increase vulnerability for adult sexual and physical victimization and appears to contribute to current PTSD symptoms within the cumulative context of other adult trauma.

Review: childhood sexual abuse is associated with bulimia nervosa especially when there is psychiatric comorbidity

Wonderlich SA, Brewerton TD, Jocic Z , et al. Relationship of childhood sexual abuse and eating disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1997 Aug; 36 : 1107 –15 [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web...

Eating-disordered behavior in males: the impact of adverse childhood experiences.

The authors examined the possible relationship of childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, and dysfunctional family background and the risk for developing an eating disorder in adult males. Several anonymous questionnaires were distributed to male university students. Of the 301 men, 12 (4.0%) had experienced childhood sexual abuse, 11 (3.6%) had been victims of physical abuse, 79 (26.2%) reported an adverse family background, and 14 (4.6%) had an increased risk for developing an eating disorder. There were no significant differences in the risk for developing an eating disorder and in total EDI between victims and nonvictims, but a significantly increased risk for eating disorders in men with an adverse family background. The findings suggest that long-lasting negative familial relationships, particularly in connection with physically abusive experiences, may increase the risk for eating disorders.

Relationship of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders

To review the literature that has examined the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and the eating disorders. Each of the five authors reviewed all identified empirical studies to be certain that inclusion/exclusion criteria were met. Two teams of raters then independently reviewed each study to determine whether it supported any of a series of six hypotheses that had been tested in this literature. This review indicates that childhood sexual abuse is a nonspecific risk factor for bulimia nervosa, particularly when there is psychiatric comorbidity. There is some indication that childhood sexual abuse is more strongly associated with bulimic disorders than restricting anorexia, but it does not appear to be associated with severity of the disturbance. Childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for bulimia nervosa with significant comorbidity. Further study of the nature of this relationship is warranted.

The Relationship of Childhood Sexual Abuse to Teenage Pregnancy

This study examined whether childhood sexual abuse contributed to a greater risk for teenage pregnancy. Data from the sexual histories of 2,003 young women showed that sexual abuse alone was not related to the incidence of teenage pregnancy, but sexual precocity, alone and in combination with sexual abuse, was related to much higher incidences of teenage pregnancy. Logistic regression showed that social class, ethnicity, age at first coitus, not using birth control at first sex, and sexual abuse by a boyfriend were significant predictors of teenage pregnancy. Early coitus and not using contraception at first coitus were the strongest predictors of teenage pregnancy. Key Words: childhood sexual abuse, contraception, ethnic differences, logistic regression, sexual precocity, teenage pregnancy. The United States has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy among developed nations (Jones et al., 1985), with about 25% of all U.S. women having a pregnancy by age 18 (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1994). In addition to high psychosocial and sometimes physical costs to the teenage mother and her child (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1994), teenage childbearing and childrearing contribute approximately $25 billion annually to the costs of Aid to Families with Dependent Children, food stamps, and Medicaid (Wilcox, Chase-Lansdale, Scott-Jones, & Osofsky, 1995). Identifying factors that contribute to high rates of teenage pregnancy is an important step toward developing more effective policies and programs for reducing these rates. This study examined whether childhood sexual abuse is a factor associated with an increased risk for teenage pregnancies. Recent studies have reported that sexual abuse is more common among pregnant teenagers than in the general population and, therefore, may be a major contributor to teenage pregnancy (Boyer & Fine, 1992; Butler & Burton,1990; Gershenson et al., 1989). The reported incidence of sexual abuse for women in studies of general populations has ranged from 7% to 50% (Anderson, Martin, Mullin, Romans, & Herbison, 1993; Baier, Rozenweig, & Whipple, 1991; Berenson, San Miguel, & Wilkinson, 1992; Erickson & Rapkin, 1991; Finkelhor, Hotaling, Lewis, & Smith, 1990; Koss & Dinero, 1989; Moore, Nord, & Peterson, 1989; Priest, 1992), whereas reports of the incidence of sexual abuse for ever-pregnant teenagers have ranged from 51% to 75% (Boyer & Fine, 1992; Butler & Burton, 1990; Gershenson et al., 1989). However, none of these studies compared sexual abuse rates for ever-pregnant teenagers with rates for their peers who did not have a teenage pregnancy. Thus, it is impossible to determine whether differences in reported incidence rates for these two groups are due to measurement or sampling differences across studies or whether sexual abuse contributes to a greater risk for teenage pregnancy. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain a linkage between childhood sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy. Butler and Burton (1990) outlined several potential linking mechanisms including: (a) some teenage pregnancies may be the direct result of sexual abuse, (b) childhood sexual abuse may socialize female victims to believe that their purpose in life is to fulfill the sexual needs of others, (c) the lowered self-esteem of sexual abuse victims may make them more vulnerable to males' sexual advances, and (d) victims of incest may plan pregnancies as a means of escaping from their victimization. In addition, Boyer and Fine (1992) have argued that the trauma of sexual victimization may harm normal developmental processes, including a sense of trust and decision-making abilities. Based on these mechanisms, we would expect victims of sexual abuse to have first voluntary coitus earlier, to be less likely to use contraception, to be more likely to participate in high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., sex with strangers), and to have a higher number of sexual partners than their peers who were not sexually abused. …

Relationship of childhood sexual abuse to borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and multiple personality disorder.

In this article, I have reviewed recent research into the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and multiple personality disorder. Evidence that such a relationship exists appears convincing.

The relationship of childhood sexual abuse with later psychological and sexual adjustment in a sample of college women

The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship of childhood sexual abuse with later psychological and sexual adjustment. Subjects were 383 female college students recruited from undergraduate psychology classes. Each was asked to complete a packet which contained a victimization questionnaire as well as measures of adjustment. A number of small, but significant, relationships were found between a history of childhood sexual abuse and measures of later psychological and sexual adjustment. In light of the relationship between family background and sexual abuse, however, it was questioned whether these associations were due to the sexual abuse per se, or were due to the confounding of sexual abuse with family background. Indeed, once parental supportiveness was controlled, very few significant relationships emerged. There was a trend, however, for the significant correlations to involve the sexual measures rather than the more general adjustment measures. The implications of the current findings, particularly for future research, were discussed.

Father-Daughter Incest

Father-Daughter Incest