Professional help sought for emotional problems: coping with child sexual abuse in a Dunedin community sample of women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate how often women reporting child sexual abuse obtain professional help for emotional reasons compared with non-abused women and how useful they find it.


METHODS
In a follow-up survey of a random community sample of women, information on formal help for emotional problems was analysed by demographic, health status and abuse information.


RESULTS
In the year prior to survey, 11.8% of women in this community sample sought professional help for emotional problems. Women in the child sexual abuse sub-sample were significantly more likely than the comparison sub-sample to have sought help (16.6% vs 7.3%) but marital status (separation) was a more significant predictor. Problematic relationships or depression were the reasons given most often for help-seeking. Therapists/counsellors and general practitioners were the health professionals most often approached. Most help-seekers thought the help useful but some child sexual abuse help-seekers did not. The child sexual abuse sub-sample were more likely to report cost as a barrier.


CONCLUSIONS
Relationship difficulties and depression are the most common reasons for seeking professional help for emotional problems. Women giving a history of child sexual abuse have higher rates of formal help-seeking and are more likely than other women to report that help they receive is not useful.
Morris
E M
EM
Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine.
Martin
J L
JL
Romans
S E
SE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D017060:Patient Satisfaction