The effect of severe child sexual abuse and disclosure on mental health during adulthood.
This study examined the relationship among severe child sexual abuse, disclosure, and mental health symptoms during adulthood. The sample consisted of 172 adults who were sexually abused in childhood. The multivariate model showed that respondents in their 30s and 40s who were abused by more than one abuser, who were injured by their abusers, who were abused by a biological relative, who told someone about the abuse when it occurred, and who did not discuss their abuse in depth within one year of the abuse had a greater number of mental health symptoms. Abuse severity and disclosure history should be assessed by professionals to identify clients who are at higher risk of mental health symptoms and to focus therapy.
O'Leary
Patrick
P
School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom. p.o'leary@soton.ac.uk
Coohey
Carol
C
Easton
Scott D
SD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003219:Confidentiality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007179:Incest / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014739:Victoria; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult