Adult female victims of child sexual abuse: multitype maltreatment and disclosure characteristics related to subjective health

J Interpers Violence. 2005 Jun;20(6):651-66. doi: 10.1177/0886260504272427.

Abstract

This study examined the impact of child sexual abuse and disclosure characteristics on adult psychological and psychosomatic symptoms. Data on abuse characteristics, disclosure-related events, and subjective health were collected through semistructured interviews and questionnaires from 123 adult women reporting having been sexually abused in childhood by someone close. The results indicate that disclosure-related events have a stronger relation than abuse characteristics to long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse. In particular, a positive reaction from a partner was related to fewer symptoms. Of the abuse characteristics, exposure also to physical abuse was strongly associated to psychological sequelae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Child Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Disclosure*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Social Support
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sweden / epidemiology
  • Truth Disclosure*
  • Women's Health