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Family characteristics and long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse
- Authors:
- BHANDARI Suchitra, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 50(4), November 2011, pp.435-451.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with high rates of psychological problems. The ‘abuse related’ perspective assumes a direct causal link between the abuse and later problems, and the ‘family dysfunction’ perspective assumes that these problems are caused by the dysfunctional nature of families in which abuse occurs. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of family variables in the development of psychological problems in CSA survivors. A retrospective cohort study was conducted comparing sexually abused and non-abused participants matched one-to-one on demographic variables. The participants were 64 clinical participants recruited from a psychological therapy waiting list, and 44 students. The participants completed measures of psychological and sexual adjustment, family functioning, and construing. Multiple linear regression models investigated overall and independent associations between abuse, family circumstances, and adjustment in adulthood. The findings showed only weak evidence for the influence of CSA, independently of family environment, on later psychological distress and sexual adjustment, but strong evidence for the influence of aspects of family environment, independent of abuse, on later psychological distress, sexual adjustment, self-esteem, body image, and sexual attitude. These findings provide support for the ‘family dysfunction’ perspective on the long-term effects of CSA.