Trauma Chronicity and the Long-Term Needs of Childhood Sexual Trauma Survivors

Abstract

Research has linked childhood sexual trauma (CST) with adverse adult outcomes (AAOs) that span physical, psychological, and social domains of functioning. Differences in conceptualizing and measuring CST, however, have inhibited the examination of trauma-related variables hypothesized to impact adult outcomes. We used National Sexual Health Survey (NSHS; 1995–1996) data to examine trauma chronicity (i.e., duration) and AAOs (domains: physical and mental health, close relationships, and achievement). The NSHS (N = 6537, 18–70 years) assessed duration using perpetrator-specific CST reports. Adjusting for background characteristics, we examined CST duration in relation to AAOs and CST-related help-seeking. Approximately 8% of participants reported CST. Chronic (vs. single-exposure) CST survivors were at substantially higher risk of experiencing AAOs [i.e., mean AAOs and specific AAOs (e.g., physical and emotional health problems, divorce/separation, and poverty)]. CST had direct effects on sexual dysfunction and satisfaction, and on relationship stressors which may impact sexual relationship quality. Although 62% of CST survivors did not seek help, those with more chronic CST histories reported a higher prevalence of trauma-related help-seeking. Our work underscores the importance of examining CST chronicity in relation to long-term developmental outcomes. Chronicity assessment may be an important screening tool in the therapeutic context and in broader community screening efforts.

Gender differences in the associations between childhood adversity and psychopathology in the general population

“…Finally, our analyses included cross-sectional data, precluding an assumption of a causal relationship between CA and psychopathology. Furthermore, the onset and duration of CA exposure, which are moderating factors of the impact of trauma exposure [ 73 – 75 ], were not specified in this study. Therefore, longitudinal approaches that also capture the onset and course of CA exposure as well as genetically informed causal inference methods are required to elaborate further on the potentially causal gender-specific links between CA and psychopathology.…”