Clinical characteristics related to severity of sexual abuse: a study of seriously mentally ill youth

Child Abuse Negl. 1995 Oct;19(10):1245-54. doi: 10.1016/0145-2134(95)00087-o.

Abstract

Objective: In this study we examined demographic, social, and clinical variables related to sexual abuse histories in a sample of severely mentally ill youth.

Method: Data were collected via a retrospective chart review of all patients treated over a 5-year period (1987-1992) at a tertiary care public sector psychiatric hospital. The sample was divided into four groups: no history of sexual abuse (n = 226); isolated events (n = 62); intermittent abuse (n = 61); and chronic (n = 150).

Results: Youth with sexual abuse histories were more often female, had higher rates of social chaos and associated physical abuse and neglect, and had higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse disorders. Chronically abused subjects came from the most chaotic and abusive backgrounds; were younger when first abused; had the highest number of abusers; were more likely to have been molested; and were more often abused by their father/stepfather and/or their mother/stepmother. Using logistic regression analyses, sexual abuse histories were predicted by sexually inappropriate behaviors, symptoms of PTSD and borderline personality disorders, dissociative symptoms, substance abuse and animal cruelty.

Conclusion: Sexual abuse histories were quite common in this sample. Sexually abused subjects had increased rates of inappropriate sexual behaviors, substance abuse, and post-traumatic reactions; and were frequently exposed to other confounding environmental risk factors, including physical abuse, family problems and social chaos.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Psychiatric
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / etiology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Sex Distribution