title: Self-reported and agency-notified child sexual abuse in a population-based birth cohort.
abstract: Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been associated with many adverse psychiatric outcomes. However, most studies have relied on retrospective self-report of exposure to CSA. We set out to investigate the incidence of CSA in the same birth cohort using both retrospective self-report and prospective government agency notification, and examine the psychological outcomes in young adulthood. The primary outcomes were measures of DSM-IV diagnoses (CIDI-Auto) at age 21. The 21-year retrospective CSA questions were completed by 3739 participants. CSA was self-reported by 19.3% of males and 30.6% of females. After adjustment for potential confounders, both self-reported and agency-notified CSA were associated with increased odds of lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For the first time in a birth cohort, this study has shown the disparity between the incidence of CSA when measured by self-report and government agency notification. Despite this discrepancy, adverse psychiatric outcomes are seen when CSA is defined using either method.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Department of Paediatrics, Logan Hospital, PO Box 4096, Loganholme DC, Queensland, 4129, Australia. Electronic address: ryan.mills@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia. Electronic address: s.kisely@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kisely
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Level 2, Public Health Building, School of Public Health, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia. Electronic address: r.alati@sph.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alati
authors.affiliation: Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. Electronic address: lane-strathearn@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Lane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strathearn
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Level 2, Public Health Building, School of Public Health, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia. Electronic address: j.najman@sph.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jake
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Najman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000068216:Child Protective Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Child maltreatment; Epidemiology; Mood/anxiety disorders; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Sexual abuse