Sexual assault disclosure in relation to adolescent mental health: results from the National Survey of Adolescents.
Child sexual assault is a risk factor for a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems. Little is known about mental health functioning in relation to victims' decisions to tell someone (or not) about their assault. This study used data from a nationally representative sample of 4,023 adolescents to examine the relation between sexual assault disclosure characteristics and mental health outcomes. Results indicated that youth who disclosed the assault to someone within 1 month were at reduced risk for current major depressive episode (MDE) and delinquency. No relation was found between disclosure latency and risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or substance use problems. Notably, disclosure to mothers was associated with significantly reduced risk for current PTSD and delinquency.
Broman-Fulks
Joshua J
JJ
Department of Psychology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. bromanfulks@appstate.edu
Ruggiero
Kenneth J
KJ
Hanson
Rochelle F
RF
Smith
Daniel W
DW
Resnick
Heidi S
HS
Kilpatrick
Dean G
DG
Saunders
Benjamin E
BE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012306:Risk; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology