Childhood sexual abuse and pervasive problems across multiple life domains: Findings from a five-decade study | 2024
Guiney, H. Caspi, A. Ambler, A. Belsky, J. Kokaua, ... Show all » J. Broadbent, J. Cheyne, K. Dickson, N. Hancox, R. J. Harrington, H. Hogan, S. Ramrakha, S. Righarts, A. Thomson, W. M. Moffitt, T. E. Poulton, R. « Hide
Development and Psychopathology, 2024, 36(1), 219-235.
10.1017/s0954579422001146
Our ref: RO807
Show abstract » The aim of this study was to use longitudinal population-based data to examine the associations between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and risk for adverse outcomes in multiple life domains across adulthood. In 937 individuals followed from birth to age 45y, we assessed associations between CSA (retrospectively reported at age 26y) and the experience of 22 adverse outcomes in seven domains (physical, mental, sexual, interpersonal, economic, antisocial, multi-domain) from young adulthood to midlife (26 to 45y). Analyses controlled for sex, socioeconomic status, prospectively reported child harm and household dysfunction adverse childhood experiences, and adult sexual assault, and considered different definitions of CSA. After adjusting for confounders, CSA survivors were more likely than their peers to experience internalizing, externalizing, and thought disorders, suicide attempts, health risk behaviors, systemic inflammation, poor oral health, sexually transmitted diseases, high-conflict relationships, benefit use, financial difficulties, antisocial behavior, and cumulative problems across multiple domains in adulthood. In sum, CSA was associated with multiple persistent problems across adulthood, even after adjusting for confounding life stressors, and the risk for particular problems incremented with CSA severity. The higher risk for most specific problems was small to moderate, but the cumulative long-term effects across multiple domains reflect considerable individual and societal burden.
« Hide abstract

Victimization, posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology and later non-suicidal self-harm in a birth cohort | 2011
Nada-Raja, S. , Skegg, K. M.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2011, 26(26), 3667�3681.
DOI: 10.1177/0886260511403757 http://jiv.sagepub.com/content/26/18/3667.full.pdf+html
Our ref: RO614
Show abstract » This longitudinal population-based study examined pathways to nonsuicidal self-harm (NSSH) in relation to childhood sexual abuse (CSA), assault victimization in early adulthood, posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology (PTSD), and other mental disorders. At age 21,476 men and 455 women completed interviews on assaultvictimization, PTSD, andother mental disorders. At age 26, they completed independent interviews on self-harm and childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors for NSSH at age 26. For men, anxiety and depressive disorders at age 21 were the only significant predictors of NSSH at age 26. For women, victimization, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders at age 21 all significantly predicted NSSH. CSA predicted later NSSH only indirectly, by increasing the risk of anxiety disorders among men and of assault victimization among women. In conclusion, pathways to nonsuicidal self-harm differed by sex. For women there were direct links with assault victimization and PTSD in early adulthood, whereas for men only internalizing disorders predicted future NSSH.
« Hide abstract

Child sexual abuse and persistence of risky sexual behaviours and negative sexual outcomes over adulthood: findings from a birth cohort. | 2009
van Roode, T., Dickson, N., Herbison, ... Show all » G. P. , Paul, C. « Hide
Child Abuse and Neglect, 2009, 33(33), 161-172.
Our ref: RO582
Show abstract » OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) on adult sexual behaviors and outcomes over three age periods. METHODS: A longitudinal study of a birth cohort born in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1972/1973 was used. Information on CSA was sought at age 26, and on sexual behaviors and outcomes at ages 21, 26, and 32. Comparisons were over the whole period from age 18 to 32, then for the three age periods from age 18 to 21, 21 to 26, and 26 to 32, adjusting for measures of family environment. RESULTS: Overall, 465 women and 471 men (91.9% of the surviving cohort) answered questions about CSA. Contact CSA was reported by 30.3% of women and 9.1% of men. For abused women, significantly increased rates were observed for number of sexual partners, unhappy pregnancies, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections from age 18 to 21; with rates approaching those of nonabused over time. Conversely, for abused men rates were not significantly elevated in the youngest age period, but were for number of partners from age 26 to 32 and acquisition of herpes simplex virus type 2 from age 21 to 32. CONCLUSIONS: Gender and age are critical when considering the effect of CSA. While the profound early impact of CSA demonstrated for women appears to lessen with age, abused men appear to carry increased risks into adulthood. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: CSA is common and should be considered when young women present with unwanted conceptions or seek multiple terminations, and when men continue to have high risk sexual behavior into adulthood. Furthermore, if CSA is disclosed, sexual risks in adulthood need to be considered.
« Hide abstract