Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 33
Language use and PTSD symptoms: content analyses of allegations of child sexual abuse
- Authors:
- MIRAGOLI Sarah, PROCACCIA Rossella, Di BLASIO Paola
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 14(5), 2014, pp.355-382.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia
The objective of this article is to understand how traumatised children report traumatic narratives. This study aims to explore the mediating effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on the relationship between child age and narrative characteristics in the allegations of child sexual abuse. Some characteristics of traumatic narratives were analysed in a group of 58 victims of sexual abuse (M = 10; SD = 3.5 years), including 29 children (50%) with all the symptoms of PTSD. Results were consistent with a model of PTSD symptoms as a mediator of the relationship between age and sensory impressions, emotional nodes, and cognitive distancing. (Publisher abstract)
Tonic immobility in childhood sexual abuse survivors and its relationship to posttraumatic stress symptomatology
- Author:
- HUMPHREYS Kathryn L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(2), February 2010, pp.358-373.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Although research has thus far focused on the role of peritraumatic dissociation and fear in the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), research has also shown that another set of peritraumatic responses may be related to PTSD. Past research shows that 37% to 52% of sexual assault survivors reported experiencing a set of peritraumatic responses, which include gross motor inhibition, analgesia, and fixed or unfocused staring - a response set closely resembling a set of unconditioned responses, collectively known as Tonic Immobility (TI). This study examined TI among childhood sexual abuse survivors and its relationship to PTSD symptomatology. 131 female college undergraduates participated in a questionnaire assessing their sexual abuse history, TI, and PTSD symptom severity. Results showed that TI partially mediated the relationship between peritraumatic fear and overall PTSD severity and completely mediated the relation between fear and the PTSD symptoms. Although peritraumatic fear is associated with TI, the mediation findings provided evidence for the perception that these responses are separate from one another. These results suggest that TI during childhood sexual abuse may play an important role in the subsequent PTSD symptomatology in adulthood. The authors conclude that the relationships discovered may provide useful information for therapists working with sexual abuse victims, leading to the inclusion of TI assessment as part of the clinical process.
Evaluation of incest cases: 4-years retrospective study
- Authors:
- CELBIS Osman, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 29(1), 2020, pp.79-89.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Incest is specific type of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sociodemographic data and examination findings of cases referred to a hospital as forensic court cases of incest, and to measure the effect on mental health disorders of the nature of the sexual abuse. Retrospective examination was made of the records of 40 cases of incest victims. Evaluation was made of the age, gender, incident suffered, the perpetrator, form of abuse, examination findings, and mental status. The cases comprised 36 girls and 4 boys. Without penetration sexual abuse was determined in 25 cases and with penetration sexual abuse in 15 cases. At least one mental health disorder was determined in 20 of the cases of simple sexual abuse and in 11 of the major sexual abuse type cases. The most frequently seen mental health disorder was post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 21 cases. Mental health disorders were determined in 77.5% of the incest cases in this study, at a greater rate 80% in cases of “without penetration sexual abuse” than in cases of “with penetration sexual abuse” 74.33%. Therefore, all cases of incest must be followed up carefully without differentiation of without or with penetration abuse. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health and behavioral outcomes of sexual and nonsexual child maltreatment among child welfare-involved youth
- Authors:
- O'BRIEN Jennifer E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 25(5), 2016, pp.483-503.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Using the nationally representative US National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II, this study explores the differences in mental health and behavioural outcomes between children who enter the child welfare system with substantiated sexual abuse and those who enter with exclusively nonsexual maltreatment. The sample included 380 children between the ages of 8 to 17.5 who were substantiated for maltreatment (sexual and nonsexual) and had the same caregivers at both wave 1 and 2 (n = 380). Results show that the average age of children in the sample was 11 years old, and the results corroborate literature that has indicated children and youth with histories of childhood sexual abuse experience significantly more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms than children with histories of nonsexual maltreatment. This finding held after controlling for baseline trauma symptoms and all covariates, including race, age, placement type, and caregiver characteristics. Childhood sexual abuse was not significantly related to an increase in behavioural symptoms after controlling for covariates. Implications for research and practice are offered. (Edited publisher abstract)
Predicting suicidal ideations in sexually abused female adolescents: a 12-month prospective study
- Authors:
- BRABANT Maria-Eve, HEBERT Martine, CHAGNON Francois
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 23(4), 2014, pp.387-397.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study investigates the contribution of posttraumatic stress symptoms to the prediction of suicidality among female adolescent survivors of sexual abuse. A one-year prospective study of 52 female survivors aged 12 to 18 years was conducted. A negative binomial regression analysis revealed that depressive symptoms as well as posttraumatic stress symptoms associated with the sexual trauma were significant predictors of suicidal ideations a year later. Posttraumatic stress symptoms remained a significant predictor of suicidal ideations even when controlling for depressive symptomatology and the presence of a past suicide attempt, thus emphasizing the relevance of posttraumatic stress symptoms in regard to suicidality in sexually abused youths. Results are discussed within the context of therapeutic modalities for survivors of a sexual trauma. (Publisher abstract)
PTSD symptom cluster profiles of youth who have experienced sexual or physical abuse
- Authors:
- RUNYON Melissa K., DEBLINGER Esther, STEER Robert A.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 38(1), 2014, pp.84-90.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The research examined whether youth (6–17 years old) who were referred for treatment due to sexual, physical, or both types of abuse presented with distinct profiles of PTSD DSM-IV-TR symptom clusters. When examining data for the 749 youth participants, five PTSD symptom cluster profiles were identified with each profile representing approximately 20% of the youth. The five profiles were also differentiated with respect to being referred for physical or sexual abuse, age, parental ratings of internalising symptoms, and self-reported depression. The youth referred for treatment in the aftermath of child sexual, physical, or both sexual and physical abuse presented with different profiles of PTSD symptom clusters thereby suggesting a need for individualised tailoring of evidenced-based treatments. Two cognitive behavioural approaches, designed for traumatised children and either their nonoffending or offending parents, were described for treating youth with the distinct PTSD profiles (Edited publisher abstract)
Self psychology and male child sexual abuse: healing relational betrayal
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 42(1), 2014, pp.41-48.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
The prevalence of male child sexual abuse (MCSA) is higher than initially thought with up to 26 % of men in community samples reporting sexual abuse in childhood, and up to 36 % of men in clinical samples reporting childhood sexual abuse. Disclosure of MCSA is complex because of men’s difficulties in viewing themselves as victims, especially of sexual violence. This difficulty is exacerbated by societal attitudes that sexual abuse rarely occurs with boys, and is further complicated with the taboo of victimisation by same sex perpetrators. Too often, the response to disclosure is disbelief and minimisation. For these reasons disclosure is often delayed or withheld thus prolonging the abuse. The negative effects of child sexual abuse are well documented and far reaching with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, sexual dysfunction and impaired interpersonal relations as common presenting issues in therapy. Treatment is indicated for significant numbers of male survivors. This paper identifies aspects of interpersonal relational difficulties commonly experienced by male sexual abuse survivors, and describes self psychology as guiding a clinical approach to address these interpersonal difficulties. The application of self psychology with male sexual abuse survivors is traced and discussed through the use of a clinical case study with Adam. (Edited publisher abstract)
Coping, emotion regulation, and self-blame as mediators of sexual abuse and psychological symptoms in adult sexual assault
- Authors:
- ULLMAN Sarah E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 23(1), 2014, pp.74-93.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study examined whether coping, emotion regulation, and self-blame mediate relationships of trauma histories with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in adult sexual assault victims (N = 1863). A path analysis showed that theorised mediators partially mediated associations between trauma history variables and psychological symptoms. Specifically, child sexual abuse severity was related to greater post-traumatic stress disorder and depression indirectly through maladaptive coping and decreased emotion regulation but not self-blame. Other traumas had direct relationships with symptoms and partially mediated effects through maladaptive coping and emotion regulation. Child sexual abuse was unrelated to self-blame, but other traumas were related to greater self-blame. Results differed according to whether women had counselling post-assault. Implications are drawn for future research and clinical treatment of adult sexual assault victims. (Publisher abstract)
Exploring mental health adjustment of children post sexual assault in South Africa
- Authors:
- MATHEWS Shanaaz, ABRAHAMS Naeemah, JEWKES Rachel
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22(6), 2013, pp.639-657.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Large numbers of children are affected by child sexual abuse in South Africa. This study aimed to assess psychological adjustment of children post sexual assault. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with caretakers, and structured interviews using mental health assessment screening tools were given to children at three intervals over a five-month period after presentation at a sexual assault centre. Almost half of the children met clinical criteria for anxiety, and two-thirds met criteria for full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder two to four weeks post disclosure. With standard care, the authors observed some recovery; 43.3% of children still met full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder nearly six months postdisclosure. Our findings indicate that current practice in South Africa does not promote adequate recovery for children. (Publisher abstract)
Perception vs. circumstances of the child sexual abuse event in relation to depression and post-traumatic stress symptomatology
- Authors:
- LEV-WIESEL Rachel, MARKUS Liora
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22(5), 2013, pp.519-533.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The study examined the impact of the circumstances of childhood sexual abuse on post-traumatic stress symptoms and depression among female adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The sample consisted of 225 Israeli women divided into two groups according to the identity of the perpetrator (nonfamily perpetrator versus a family member perpetrator). A self-report questionnaire was used consisting of the following scales: demographic variables, the Traumatic Events Questionnaire, Childhood Sexual Experiences Scale, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale, and Depression Scale. The findings indicated that the identity of the offender significantly differed between groups only if intercourse had occurred. Women who experienced coerced intercourse scored significantly higher on depression and post-traumatic stress compared to those who experienced other forms of childhood sexual abuse. (Publisher abstract)