Long-term physical health consequences of childhood sexual abuse: a meta-analytic review.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present article was to systematically review the literature investigating the long-term physical health consequences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).


METHODS
Literature searches yielded 31 studies comparing individuals with and without a history of CSA on six health outcomes: general health, gastrointestinal (GI) health, gynecologic or reproductive health, pain, cardiopulmonary symptoms, and obesity. Exploratory subgroup analyses were conducted to identify potential methodological moderators.


RESULTS
Results suggested that a history of CSA was associated with small to moderate group differences on almost all health outcomes assessed, such that individuals with a history of CSA reported more complaints for each health outcome. Suggestive trends in moderating variables of study design and methodology are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Results highlight the long-term physical health consequences of CSA and identify potential moderators to aid in the design of future research.
Irish
Leah
L
Department of Psychology, 118 Kent Hall, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
Kobayashi
Ihori
I
Delahanty
Douglas L
DL
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*