Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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The effect of severe child sexual abuse and disclosure on mental health during adulthood
- Authors:
- O'LEARY Patrick, COOHEY Carol, EASTON Scott D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 19(3), May 2010, pp.275-289.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between indicators of severe sexual abuse and mental health symptoms during adulthood and to determine whether telling someone the abuse had occurred during childhood moderates the relationship between severe abuse and mental health. A phone survey was conducted with 172 adults living in Victoria, Australia, who were sexually abused as children. The results suggested that disclosure of child sexual abuse during childhood may be important in understanding mental health symptoms during adulthood. Telling someone about the sexual abuse was related to a greater number of mental health symptoms, however discussing the sexual abuse within a year was related to fewer mental health symptoms. Regardless of whether the respondent told someone about the abuse or discussed it, three indicators of abuse severity were associated with more mental health symptoms: being injured, being abused by more than one person, and being abused by a biological relative. The authors discuss the study results and their implications.
Posttraumatic growth among men with histories of child sexual abuse
- Authors:
- EASTON Scott D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Maltreatment, 18(4), 2013, pp.211-220.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Despite an increased risk of long-term mental health problems, many survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) experience positive changes in areas such as appreciation for life, personal strength, and interpersonal relationships. Drawing on life course theory, this study examined factors related to posttraumatic growth among a sample of men with CSA histories (N = 487). Using multiple linear regression (i.e., ordinary least squares), it was found that men who had a better understanding of the sexual abuse experience, who ascribed to less traditional masculine norms, and who experienced a turning point reported greater growth. To promote growth, practitioners can help survivors understand the meaning and impact of the abuse on their lives and deconstruct rigid gender norms. More research on growth is needed with male survivors, especially on the nature of turning points in the recovery process. (Publisher abstract)