Childhood disclosure of sexual abuse and mental health outcomes in adulthood: Assessing merits of early disclosure and discussion

Abstract

Background: Empirical research on the impact of early disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA) on survivor health is limited and mixed. One recent study found that early disclosure may actually be detrimental for abuse cessation and adult symptomatology (Swingle et al., 2016). The current study reexamined the effects of early disclosure and related variables on long-term mental health for men with histories of CSA. Objective: The primary aims of this study were to: a) investigate whether early disclosure and response to early disclosure were related to mental distress in adulthood, and b) examine whether having an in-depth discussion and timing of that discussion were related to mental distress in adulthood. Participants and Setting: Data were collected from a large, non-clinical sample of male survivors (N=487), ranging in age from 19 to 84 years, through an online, anonymous survey. Methods: Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted by entering groups of variables in four steps: control variables, CSA severity, disclosure, and discussion. Results: Overall, models explained between 24-28% of the variance in mental distress. None of the CSA severity variables reached significance. Both early disclosure (β= −0.126, p = 0.003) and response to first disclosure (β = −0.119, p = 0.006) were significant protective factors in Model 3. In the final model, having an in-depth discussion (β = −0.085, p = < 0.036) and years until discussion (β = 0.102, p = 0.029) were also related to mental distress. Conclusions: Results support the merits of early disclosure and discussion on long-term mental health. Implications for future research and practice are presented.

Violencia sexual en niños y adolescentes varones en el mundo: una revisión integrativa

“…Este proceso, más tardío entre los ho m bres q ue entre las m ujeres (43), es m ultifacético y co m plejo, y está influenciado por factores q ue se cr uzan a lo largo de la vida del so breviviente (49,53). Los o bstáculos para su realización incluyen aspectos personales e interpersonales (17,22,33,(38)(39)(43)(44). En particular, la masculinidad es principal en la deter minación del silencio em ocional y el reforzamiento de la idea de culpabilidad por la VSI (38,40,43).…”

“…La divulgación conlleva reacciones y efectos en los so brevivientes y en su red cercana (43). En general, los relatos e historias de revelación de la VSI se definen co m o experiencias positivas, con sentimientos de satisfacción (40,43), y con gran im pacto protector para reducir pro blemas mentales (33). Sin em bargo, tam bién se ha señalado q ue puede originar pro blemas, co m o conflictos familiares o aumento en la ansiedad (17,43).…”

“…Todo esto se suma a la falta de ser vicios de apoyo y de capacitación entre proveedores de atención médica (17). En este sentido, los estudios encontraron asociaciones entre el mayor tiem po transcurrido para la revelación y pro blemas de salud mental co m o distrés mental y depresión (17,33,40); y co m portamientos de externalización del distrés mental co m o las conductas agresivas y la r uptura de reglas y tam bién de internalización del dicho distrés al presentar q uejas so máticas (10).…”

Child Abuse in the West Bank: Lessons Learnt from a Qualitative Study

“…(2015) for Uganda. A literature review on adult disclosure of childhood sexual abuse warns that, although disclosure may be beneficial when responses are positive (Easton, 2019), it can also be harmful when responses are negative (Tener and Murphy, 2015). This warning must be taken seriously given our interviewees' suggestion that replying to sexual abuse questions, let alone disclosing abuse, can have potentially negative consequences.…”

What Do Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Believe Will Facilitate Early Disclosure of Sexual Abuse?

“…Approximately 15-18% of women and 6-7.6% of men experience CSA (Child sexual abuse) (1-3). On average it can take up to 18 years before victims disclose CSA (4)(5)(6), some studies showing a small number (8-21%) disclose after 1 month (6)(7)(8), and around 27.8% never disclose (9)(10)(11). The health consequences have shown to be severe, both for the physical and mental health of victims (4,8,12,13).…”