Siblings’ Perspectives of the Impact of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure on Sibling and Family Relationships

McElvaney, Rosaleen; Murray, Rachael McDonnell; Dunne, Simon

doi:10.1111/famp.12681

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The young people's recommendation highlighting the need for a multifaceted and uniquely tailored approach, unique responses for unique relationships, is further supported by McElvaney et al. (2021, p. 13). Their findings recommend that ‘tailored support for siblings and other family members where the abuse has been disclosed to the family, could be invaluable as part of a holistic response’ to child sexual abuse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

A relational understanding of the needs of siblings of children who have been sexually abused

Dwan

2023

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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This participatory research project highlighted the views and experiences of young people who are the brothers and sisters of children and young people who have experienced child sexual abuse. By working with young people who had experienced sexual abuse and their siblings, this practitioner research sought to give these young people a voice. The research involved a group process with young people who have experienced sexual abuse and have siblings, and one‐to‐one online consultations with the brothers and sisters of young people who have experienced abuse. All the young people spoke of their sibling and family relationships as unique and requiring unique responses to these relationships by services and health‐care professionals. Siblings’ needs in the aftermath of a child sexual abuse discovery are often overlooked. This research describes how just as children who have experienced sexual abuse may feel anger, fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, and confusion, so do their siblings. Brothers and sisters of young people who have experienced sexual abuse describe significant relational trauma with intense emotional experiences of isolation, confusion, sadness, and anger. There is a real need to support young people and families to find words and develop capacities to talk about child sexual abuse ‐‐ a need to find supportive ways to speak about what has occurred and understand its impact on all. The study clearly demonstrated the significant level of need and impact on brothers and sisters of young people who have experienced sexual abuse.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

A relational understanding of the needs of siblings of children who have been sexually abused

Dwan

2023

ANZ J of Family Therapy

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“…Most of the individuals in this study had experienced intrafamilial abuse. Recent research in Ireland exploring the impact of CSA disclosure on siblng relationships ( Crabtree et al, 2021 ; McElvaney et al, 2021 ) highlights challenges facing adult siblings that would likely differ from family members of adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse. Finally, all of the participants in this study were engaged with therapy services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While there is a high prevalence of first time disclosures during adulthood ( Collings et al, 2005 ; Collin-Vézina et al, 2015 ; Easton, 2013 ; Gagnier & Collin-Vézina, 2016 ; Hunter, 2011 ), these adult studies do not reflect societal changes and raised awareness of sexual abuse in recent years. Research with children and young people suggest that the increased focus on child abuse over the past few decades may account for findings that children are more likely to disclose abuse within two to three years following the experience of abuse than at any other time in childhood (up to 18 years) ( McElvaney et al, 2021 ). Thus, it may be that children are beginning to disclose more promptly but more research is needed on both child and adult cohorts to examine this further.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adult and Adolescent Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse: A Comparative Analysis

McGill

McElvaney

2022

J Interpers Violence

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The recent attention focused on child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosure pathways has highlighted complex psychological processes that influence disclosure both for children and adults. Some authors have suggested that such processes may differ between children and adults yet few studies have examined distinct samples within the same study. This paper addresses this gap by exploring adolescent ( n = 20) and adult ( n = 10) experiences of disclosure of childhood sexual abuse. Interviews were conducted with both samples, using the same interview schedule and a comparative analysis was conducted of the key themes identified from a grounded theory analysis. Those themes that were found to be common to both samples included pressure cooker effect, telling would make it worse, and self-blame. Themes that were found to be more prevalent in the adolescent sample included police/court involvement, concern for other children, being asked, and peer influence. It is suggested that such potential differences reflect the changing social context over the past few decades which is characterised by increased awareness of sexual abuse as a crime and the risks of recidivism of offenders.

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“…Parental validation is a characteristic very often mentioned in the literature as a factor favorably influencing the state of health of young people with SA as well as their interpersonal functioning [21,[48][49][50]. A systematic review highlighted that the child's decision to disclose an experience of SA was affected by six factors: Fear of what will happen, other's reaction, fear of disbelief, emotion and impact of the abuse, an opportunity to tell, concern for self and others, and feelings toward the abuser [51].…”

Section: Disclosure Parental Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Stakes of Sexual Abuse in Adolescent Psychiatry

Robin

Schupak²,

Bonnardel³

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Background: The extent and nature of sexual abuse (SA) and its consequences in psychiatry are still poorly described in adolescence. Objective: This article describes the frequency of SA reported in an adolescent population hospitalized in psychiatry, and assesses its links with the severity of mental disorders and the medical issues of these adolescents. Methods: The study includes 100 patients for whom SA has been mentioned, among all patients aged 13 to 17 years old hospitalized for about 4 years. The characteristics of sexual abuse were correlated with the medical severity of the patients, as well as the number, the duration of their hospitalization(s), and the time until disclosure. Results: The results show the central place of SA in adolescent psychiatry, with a prevalence of 28.5% and a cumulative hospital stay which is five times longer than average. Correlations have been observed between the number of suicide attempts and the number of abuses reported. The medical severity of patients is significantly increased when the named aggressor is an adult. The number of hospitalizations is positively correlated with the number of reported abuses, as well as with the intrafamilial and adult status of the perpetrator. Finally, an early age of onset, repeated abuse, and the intrafamilial nature of the abuse are associated with a longer time to disclosure. Conclusions: The severity of adolescent psychiatric situation is statistically in favor of a history of SA, which should therefore be actively explored during care.

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Siblings’ Perspectives of the Impact of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure on Sibling and Family Relationships

Cited by 11 publications

References 55 publications

A relational understanding of the needs of siblings of children who have been sexually abused

A relational understanding of the needs of siblings of children who have been sexually abused

Adult and Adolescent Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse: A Comparative Analysis

Clinical Stakes of Sexual Abuse in Adolescent Psychiatry

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