Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health"’ Sort:
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Exploring effectiveness of psychotherapy options for sexually abused children and adolescents: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
- Authors:
- TICHELAAR Henny K., DEKOVIC Maja, ENDENDIJK Joyce J.
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 119, 2020, p.105519.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can have major implications for child mental health on the short-term, but also for developmental outcomes later in life, especially when left untreated. Yet, there is no consensus about best practices in psychotherapy for child and adolescent CSA-victims. In this study, we therefore systematically reviewed existing literature on the effectiveness of different types of psychotherapy, as well as specific treatment components, for improving CSA-victims’ mental-health outcomes. We searched databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining effectiveness of psychotherapy for child or adolescent victims of CSA. This search yielded 32 RCTs testing effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (with and without adaptation to CSA), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, prolonged-exposure treatment, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and play therapy. For each type of psychotherapy, some studies demonstrated evidence for its effectiveness in improving CSA-victims’ mental health, but other studies did not. We also found some evidence that certain therapy approaches might be specifically effective for specific groups of clients, i.e., TF-CBT for highly vulnerable and traumatized clients, group therapy for girls, and briefer approaches for younger children. Regarding treatment components, trauma narration and pharmacotherapy appeared to enhance effectiveness of psychotherapy. A thorough comparison between studies was difficult, because control-groups and measured outcomes differed greatly. Therefore, the field needs more rigorous large-scale RCTs, with long-term follow-up and more uniformity in outcome measures, investigating the effectiveness of specific treatment components, to be able to draw evidence-based conclusions about best practices for CSA-victims. (Edited publisher abstract)
A population-based study of childhood sexual contact in China: prevalence and long-term consequences
- Authors:
- LUO Ye, PARISH William L., LAUMANN Edward O.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 32(7), July 2008, pp.721-731.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study provides national estimates of the prevalence of childhood sexual contact and its association with sexual well-being and psychological distress among adults in China. A national stratified probability sample of 1,519 women and 1,475 men aged 20–64 years in urban China completed a computer-administered survey in 1999–2000. The data from this survey on both adult-to-child and peer-to-peer sexual contact before age 14 were subjected to descriptive and multivariate analyses that were adjusted for both sampling weights and sampling design. The overall prevalence of reported childhood sexual contact was 4.2%, with prevalence higher among men (5.1%) than among women (3.3%) and higher among those aged 20–29 years (8.3%). Childhood sexual contact was associated with multiplex consequences, including hyper-sexuality (high levels of masturbation, thoughts about sex, varieties of sexual practices, partner turnover), adult sexual victimization (unwanted sex, unwanted sexual acts, sexual harassment), sexual difficulties (genitor-urinary symptoms, sexually transmitted infections, sexual dysfunctions), and psychological distress. Psychological distress was largely mediated by adult sexual victimization, sexual difficulties, and hyper-sexuality. Despite the relatively modest prevalence of childhood sexual contact among Chinese adults, the association with multiplex adult outcomes suggests that much as in the West early sexual contact is a significant issue.
Predictors of maternal support: the point of view of adolescent victims of sexual abuse and their mothers
- Authors:
- CYR Mireille, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 12(1), 2003, pp.39-65.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Reports on a Canadian study which looked at four groups of potential predictors of maternal support: mothers' psychosocial characteristics, abuse characteristics, victim's characteristics, and disclosure characteristics. A total of 120 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years and their mothers, who were recruited from Child Protective Services, completed questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Multiple regression analyses performed separately on mother and child data sets revealed five significant predictors of maternal support in each analysis, four of which were common to both. The discussion underscores the importance of taking into account both the mother's and the victim's perceptions regarding psychological adjustment and family environment. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Post-traumatic stress and mental health functioning of sexually abused children
- Authors:
- AVERY Lisa, RIPPEY Carol, LUNDY Marta
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 17(1), February 2000, pp.19-34.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This American study examines the relationship between levels of post-traumatic stress and overall mental health functioning of fifty-three sexually abused children. Standardised instruments (the Child Assessment Schedule and the Child Post-traumatic stress Reaction Index) were used for data collection. Data analysis supported the hypothesis that the post-traumatic stress level of children who have been sexually abused is associated with level of child mental health functioning. Nearly all the children in the study were experiencing a clinical level of post-traumatic stress, and were diagnosed as having PTSD.
Evidence for specific effects of childhood sexual abuse on mental well-being and physical self-esteem
- Authors:
- BRAYDEN Robert M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 19(10), October 1995, pp.1255-1262.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Women who are sexually abused are at increased risk for having mental health problems long after the abuse. Other nonexploitive experiences can also be psychologically detrimental, may coexist with sexual abuse, and may explain some portion of subsequent mental health problems. Addresses the association between childhood sexual abuse and a woman's psychological functioning, independent of the quality of parental nurturance received during childhood and other variables which may influence mental health.
Learning from the experts: young people’s views on their mental health and emotional wellbeing needs following sexual abuse in adolescence
- Authors:
- ALLNOCK Debra, et al
- Publisher:
- Association for Young People's Health
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 6
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing focuses on the mental health and emotional wellbeing impacts and needs of young people who experience sexual abuse in adolescence, considering the many and complex ways in which these are impacted across the different spheres of their lives. The briefing draws on the contributions of the 31 young people who took part in the research. Of these, 26 took part in workshops and eight took part in in-depth individual interviews (some doing both). Young people’s participation was undertaken in partnership with ten child sexual abuse services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Key messages include: many of the young people associated the term ‘mental health’ with stigma and judgement while also recognising it as a useful label that supported their access to resources and support; many participants reported that their experiences of abuse were characterised by feelings of confusion, shame, self-blame, fear and worry, withdrawal and isolation; the young people who participated in the research processed and managed their experiences in a range of ways, developing strategies to protect themselves from further harm – they did not always feel ready to seek support straight away, and reported periods of coping alone before the identification or disclosure of abuse. Young people operate in a number of different spheres – family, friends, school, other services and the broader community: families can be an important source of help and a gateway to services, but also that family relationships could affect their mental health and wellbeing; peers and friends are central; schools are important contexts for support; no one support service can meet all young people’s needs; criminal justice processes are particularly difficult. (Edited publisher abstract)
Resilience in non-offending mothers of children who have reported experiencing sexual abuse
- Authors:
- McGILLIVRAY Cher J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27(7), 2018, pp.793-810.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Growing evidence shows that non-offending mothers experience significant loss and trauma following their child reporting experiencing sexual abuse. Maternal support offered to sexually abused children following disclosure can be a crucial factor in children’s recovery. Although mothers are often seen as playing a central role in facilitating the recovery of their sexually abused child, there has been little focus on their own needs and profiles. This present study aimed to increase our understanding of the diversity of profiles of non-offending mothers of sexually abused children by exploring the differences in psychosocial traits of non-offending mothers (N = 68; age range 28–67 years) reporting higher and lower resilience. The mediating role of these psychosocial factors on the relationship between resilience and psychological distress will also be explored. Results found that non-offending mothers in the higher resilience group reported higher levels of positive reappraisal, self-compassion, social support, and significantly lower levels of psychological distress compared to non-offending mothers in the lower resilience group. Additionally, multiple mediation analysis indicated positive reappraisal, self-compassion, and social support to be significant mediators of the relationship between resilience and psychological distress. Increased levels of self-compassion and social support were found to be predictive of lowered psychological distress, while increased positive reappraisal predicted increased psychological distress. The findings of the present study provide support for the targeting of the psychosocial factors such as self-compassion, social support, and positive reappraisal in interventions for non-offending mothers in an effort to promote resilience. (Publisher abstract)
Childhood sexual abuse in adolescents adjudicated for sexual offenses: mental health consequences and sexual offending behaviors
- Authors:
- MORAIS Hugo B., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Sexual Abuse a Journal of Research and Treatment, 30(1), 2018, pp.23-42.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The current study examined the effects of child sexua abuse (CSA) on 498 male adolescents adjudicated for sexual offences who represent the small portion of CSA survivors who engage in sexual offences. The prevalence of internalising symptoms, parental attachment difficulties, specific sexual offending behaviours, and risk for sexually offending were compared among participants with and without a history of CSA. Results indicated that participants with a history of CSA were more likely to be diagnosed with major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder than those who did not report a history of CSA. A history of CSA was also positively correlated with risk for sexually offending and with specific offense patterns and consensual sexual behaviours. No significant differences emerged on parental attachment difficulties. These results highlight that adolescents adjudicated for sexual offences with a history of CSA present with differences in sexual and psychological functioning as well as markedly different offending patterns when compared with those without a CSA history. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring the context of child sexual abuse in Jamaica: addressing the deficits
- Authors:
- SAMMS Kimika M., CHOLEWA Blaire E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 23(2), 2014, pp.115-127.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Jamaican media sources have recently noted the prevalence of child sexual abuse within the country. While research has continually noted the mental health impact of child sexual abuse, there is a dearth of literature on the relationship between the two in Jamaica. The purpose of this article is to provide the context of child sexual abuse in Jamaica, including the cultural considerations, current legislation, government created agencies, and modes of treatment. Moreover, recommendations are given for public health educators, school personnel, and mental health service providers in order to improve the psychological well-being of sexually abuse children. (Publisher abstract)
Men who were sexually abused in childhood: coping strategies and comparisons in psychological functioning
- Author:
- O'LEARY Patrick J.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 33(7), July 2009, pp.471-479.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
In order to examine coping strategies of men who were sexually abused in childhood a primary sample of 147 Australian men was recruited from agencies and self-help groups who support adults who were sexually abused in childhood. For comparative purposes a secondary data set that consisted of 1,231 men recruited randomly in an Australian community survey was utilized. Both samples were administered the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28). The primary sample was administered the 60-item coping style inventory instrument (COPE). Coping strategies influenced the possibility of being classified as clinical or nonclinical. The most important strategies associated with better functioning were positive reinterpretation and growth and seeking instrumental social support. Whereas strategies that were more associated with a clinical outcome were themed around internalization, acceptance and disengagement. The sample of men who were sexually abused in childhood was up to 10 times more likely to be classified as “clinical” then the sample of community men. Time elapsed since the abuse occurred did not have a moderating effect on men's psychological functioning. It is concluded that men who have been sexually abused in childhood are more likely to have clinical diagnoses but coping strategies may play an important part in this outcome. Seeking active assistance appears to be important coping strategy in reframing the experience, however, the timing of this help seeking is not critical.