Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Neurodevelopmental biology associated with childhood sexual abuse
- Authors:
- de BELLIS Michael D., SPRATT Eve G., HOOPER Stephen R.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 20(5), September 2011, pp.548-587.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Child maltreatment appears to be the single most preventable cause of mental illness and behavioural dysfunction in the United States. This article reviews the psychiatric problems associated with maltreatment and the emerging biologic stress system research with a special emphasis on what is known about victimisation by sexual abuse. Data shows that the effects of traumatic stress on the developing brain may be severe and persistent. There are multiple mechanisms through which sexual abuse can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, activate biological stress response systems, and contribute to adverse brain development. However, there appear to be some factors that may be protective against this response. In theory, early interventions with maltreating parents, loving adoptive families, cognitive behavioural therapy and medications may lead to therapeutic reversibility of the adverse brain developmental effects of abuse.
Child abuse and neglect in the UK today
- Authors:
- RADFORD Lorraine, et al
- Publisher:
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 203p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents new research findings from the NSPCC on child maltreatment in the United Kingdom. The research aimed to provide up to date information on the prevalence and impact of child maltreatment, and to compare rates of childhood experiences reported by young adults interviewed in 2009 with rates reported in an earlier NSPCC study in 1998-9. The study looked at children’s and young adults’ experiences of childhood maltreatment at home, in school and in the community. This first report presents the findings from this research on the prevalence, impact and severity of child maltreatment. The study involved interviews with a random probability sample of parents, young people and young adults about their experiences of child abuse and neglect. The sample consisted of: 2,160 parents or guardians of children aged under 11 years; 2,275 young people aged 11-17 years with additional information from their parents or guardians; and 1,761 young adults aged 18-24 years. The findings show that the rates of child maltreatment reported by young adults aged 18–24 are lower in 2009 than in 1998. However, significant minorities of children and young people in the UK today are experiencing severe maltreatment and this is associated with poorer emotional wellbeing, self-harm, suicidal ideation and delinquent behaviour.
Treatment effects for common outcomes of child sexual abuse: a current meta-analysis
- Authors:
- TRASK Emily V., WALSH Kate, DILILLO David
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(1), January 2011, pp.6-19.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This meta-analysis examines the literature to quantify the effectiveness of psychosocial treatments at reducing the most frequent outcomes of child sexual abuse. A literature search identified a total of 35 articles or dissertations written in English, focusing on youth under the age of 18, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatments for the following negative outcomes of sexual abuse: post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, externalising problems, and internalising problems. Analyses of these publications revealed that treatment was effective in reducing many negative outcome of child sexual abuse. The effect sizes averaged across all outcomes were medium. The potential moderating effects of treatment (e.g., modality, duration, and inclusion of caregiver) and participant (e.g., age, gender, and ethnicity) characteristics were also analysed. The results indicated that longer interventions were associated with greater treatment gains. Group and individual treatments were equally effective. Studies with older children and more males were shown to have larger treatment effects. The findings shed new light on treatment effectiveness and provide information regarding the conditions under which treatment may be most effective.
The sexual victimization of women: substance abuse, HIV, prostitution, and intimate partner violence as underlying correlates
- Author:
- TAYLOR Ozietta D.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21(7), October 2011, pp.834-848.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Sexual victimisation is a devastating crime with lifelong consequences. These lifelong effects can manifest themselves the forms of substance abuse, the human immunodeficiency virus, prostitution, intimate partner abuse, and an array of psychological disorders. Women entering into substance abuse treatment programmes may be coping with the underlying issues of childhood sexual assault or sexual trauma after childhood. This article starts discussing the major implications of the sexual victimisation of women across the life domain. It then discusses the treatment services needed to address the various issues faced by sexual assault victims. These women may be in need of therapeutic interventions to alleviate or eradicate the symptoms associated with the posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Further, treatment services may be needed to address the physiological and psychological symptoms of substance use disorders and intimate partner violence. Medical treatment is required for women affected with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Family therapy and parenting sessions can serve to rehabilitate the entire family system.
Power, gender, and social work responses to child sexual abuse
- Authors:
- HANISCH Danielle, MOULDING Nicole
- Journal article citation:
- Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 26(3), August 2011, pp.278-290.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Narrative therapy is a well-known approach used in working with adult women survivors of child sexual abuse. This article explores how social workers use narrative ideas to understand child sexual abuse and its effects, how these understandings may guide their work in their practice, and the challenges they face in bringing a feminist emancipatory approach to their therapeutic work. The study used qualitative interviews with 10 social workers who provide counselling to women who were sexually abused as children. Data from the interviews were analysed using discourse analysis. Two dominant discursive themes that were identified are discussed: normalising the effects of childhood sexual abuse; and gender power in practice. The analysis found that, while engagement with narrative therapy brings a strong emancipatory orientation, there were some unintended effects. Firstly, normalising the effects of abuse by distinguishing them from ‘real’ mental illness comes at the cost of restigmatising other groups of clients. Secondly, the adoption of post-structural critiques of feminism may result in minimising the relevance of the complex ways in which gender power operates in women’s lives.
High prevalence of childhood emotional, physical and sexual trauma among a Canadian cohort of HIV-seropositive illicit drug users
- Authors:
- WALTON Georgia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- AIDS Care, 23(6), June 2011, pp.714-721.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of various types of childhood maltreatment (sexual, physical and emotional abuse and physical or emotional neglect) and to examine the links between childhood maltreatment and later health and functioning. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, a 28-item validated instrument, was used to retrospectively assess childhood maltreatment in a community-recruited cohort of adult HIV-seropositive illicit drug users living in Vancouver (n=233; 83 women). Logistic regression was used to estimate relationships between sub-types of childhood maltreatment with various social-demographic, drug-using and clinical characteristics. Moderate or severe emotional childhood abuse was reported by 51.9% of participants, emotional neglect by 36.9%, physical abuse by 51.1%, physical neglect by 46.8% and sexual abuse by 41.6%. Analyses revealed that emotional, physical and sexual abuse were independently associated with greater odds of recent incarceration. Emotional abuse and neglect were independently associated with depression. There was no association between any form of childhood maltreatment and clinical HIV variables, including viral load, CD4+ count and antiretroviral therapy. These results confirm the high prevalence of childhood abuse experienced by HIV positive illicit drug users and the need for evidence-based resources to address the deleterious effect it has on the health and social functioning.
Sexual revictimization and mental health: a comparison of lesbians, gay men, and heterosexual women
- Authors:
- BALSAM Kimberley F., LEHAVOT Keren, BEADNELL Blair
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(9), June 2011, pp.1798-1814.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Several studies have indicated that women who were sexually abused in childhood are at increased risk for sexual assault in adulthood; a phenomenon referred to as revictimisation. Research has also shown that lesbians and gay men are at elevated risk for sexual victimisation in both childhood and adulthood. This study sought to examine the prevalence and the impact on mental health of sexual revictimisation in lesbians and gay men. A large national sample of self-identified lesbian and gay adults and their siblings were mailed a questionnaire. The analysis is based upon the completed questionnaires for 322 lesbians, 214 gay men, and 335 heterosexual women. The results indicated that child sexual abuse is associated with elevated rates of adult rape for all 3 groups. In addition, revictimisation showed comparable associations with mental health variables for all 3 groups. Participants with both child sexual abuse and adult rape had higher levels of psychological distress, suicidality, alcohol use, and self-harm behaviours relative to those with only one type of victimisation and those with no victimisation. Those with any victimisation were more likely to report recent use of drugs compared to those with no victimisation.
Interventions for families victimized by child sexual abuse: clinical issues and approaches for child advocacy center-based services
- Authors:
- TAVKAR Poonam, HANSEN David J.
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(3), May 2011, pp.188-199.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Child sexual abuse poses serious mental health risks to child victims and to non-offending family members. In the US, community-based Child Advocacy Centers, designed to be child friendly facilities, are increasingly being used as initial access sites for mental health services for sexual abuse victims. This article identifies and describes various types of mental health interventions for child victims and non-offending family members and provides recommendations for establishing these services at Child Advocacy Centers. It covers impacts on child victims and families, crisis interventions, time-limited individual interventions and group interventions for child victims, non-offending caregivers and non-abused siblings, and the need for long-term interventions and referrals. It presents the Project SAFE intervention offered at the Lincoln/Lancaster County Child Advocacy Center as a model for mental health services in Child Advocacy Centers. It describes 4 key elements of the programme (group treatment for sexually abused young people and their non-offending caregivers, group treatment for non-abused siblings, crisis intervention, and brief family intervention) and discusses its benefits and treatment gains.
Referrals are down but the risk is high
- Author:
- PEMBERTON Camilla
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 27.1.11, 2011, p.20.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The work of Clare Lodge, a facility for vulnerable girls is briefly described. The secure unit provides a care for many girls who have been sexually exploited, by men or organised gangs. There are worries that the unit will close due to a drop in referrals.