Sexual Abuse in Childhood and Physical and Mental Health in Adulthood: An Australian Population Study

Abstract

Although childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with a wide range of health problems later in life, there is also evidence of substantial individual differences. This study describes the mental and physical health of a population sample of Australians, randomly selected from the Commonwealth electoral roll, who have reported their CSA histories. Some 58% of those located from the electoral roll agreed to a telephone interview (n=1,784). Health status was measured using the Short Form 36 questionnaire. Men who had experienced non-penetrative and penetrative sexual abuse in childhood had 2.25 (95% CI=1.32-3.82) and 5.93 (95% CI=2.72-12.95) times respectively the rate of impaired mental health, but no higher rates of impaired physical health. Women who had experienced non-penetrative and penetrative sexual abuse in childhood had 1.87 (95% CI=1.19-2.95) and 3.15 (95% CI=1.87-5.33) times respectively the rate of impaired mental health and 1.87 (95% CI=1.19-2.92) and 2.31 (95% CI=1.34-3.97) times respectively the rate of impaired physical health. However, participants who had experienced CSA were no less likely than those who had not experienced CSA to be in optimum physical and mental health. None of the possible confounding or moderating variables tested appeared to mitigate the impact of CSA on health outcomes. Those with the highest levels of mental and physical health appear to be unaffected by the experience of CSA.

Child sexual abuse as reported by Israeli adolescents: Social and health related correlates

“…The associations found in the current study between CSA and physical symptoms, such as stomach ache, appetite loss, chest pain, sleep problems and dizziness have been shown in many studies (Arnow, 2004;Davis et al, 2005;Najman et al, 2007;Wegman & Stetler, 2009) and have been attributed to alterations in brain functioning that increase vulnerability to stress and decrease immune function (Sachs-Ericsson et al, 2009). Other scholars believe that the need to maintain the CSA secret or that lack of words to describe the sexual abuse may be responsible for psychosomatic symptoms (Gilbert, 1988).…”

“…The association between CSA and increased risk of physical symptoms and poor health in adulthood has been shown in many studies (Arnow, 2004;Davis, Luecken, & Zautra, 2005;Najman, Nguyen, & Boyle, 2007;Wegman & Stetler, 2009). It has been theorized that etiologic factors in CSA victims' health problems might be due to abuse-related alterations in brain functioning that increase vulnerability to stress and decrease immune function and that psychiatric disorders may account for only some of the symptoms (Sachs-Ericsson, Cromer, Hernandez, & Kendall-Tackett, 2009).…”

Child sexual abuse and health outcomes in the Chinese context

“…Left unattended, the mental health problems may be somatised, leading to a poorer perception of physical health (Najman et al, 2007), as reflected in our finding that CSA was associated with poorer perceived physical health.…”

Perceptions of Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors: Development and Initial Validation of a New Scale to Measure Stereotypes of Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

“…There has been an ongoing debate regarding the effects of CSA on the physical, mental, and social health of survivors (Najman, Nguyen, & Boyle, 2007). Some researchers suggest that a history of CSA is associated with a host of interpersonal and psychological difficulties, such as depression, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, and sexual promiscuity (Johnson, 2001).…”

“…In a similar vein, Harter and colleagues (2009) note that child sexual abuse survivors are perceived as a distinct group, and such categorization is likely to lead to stereotyping processes and implicit stigmatization based on group membership. A significant feature of such stereotyping processes is the accentuation of intragroup similarities (Doise, Deschamps, & Meyer, 1978) that promotes characterization of CSA survivors as a homogenous group despite contrary evidence (Najman et al, 2007). Holguin and Hansen (2003) note that the term "CSA" has become a powerful and emotionally laden label.…”