Childhood sexual experiences with adults reported by women with eating disorders: an extended series

Article Abstract:

The two eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia are recognized to have psychological and social factors that contribute to their causes. Both seem to involve difficulties in the subject's response to biological maturity and sexual development. Therefore, it is plausible that events which can interrupt the normal course of sexual development might increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. Child sexual abuse, which has lately been observed to be more common than was once thought, often results in low self-esteem, loss of sexual confidence, and difficult personal relationships for the victim. To ascertain whether a history of sexual abuse is more common among patients with eating disorders, 80 anorectics and 78 bulimics completed a questionnaire and were later interviewed about their early sexual experiences. Child abuse was considered to have taken place if the subject was either under 13 and had an encounter with someone over 16 or if the subject was between 13 and 15 and the encounter involved someone at least 5 years older. Sexual experiences ranged from acts of full penetration to exhibitionism and fondling. Other 'unpleasant' sexual encounters were also noted. Of the 158 women interviewed, 49 (31 percent) had suffered some form of child abuse by the most strict criteria, and another 42 (28.6 percent) could be included if the criteria were extended; 67 (42.4 percent) of the subjects reported no such events. The average difference in age between the subject and the person with whom the sexual encounter took place was 27 years. On the basis of the results, it is difficult to conclude that sexual abuse is substantially more prevalent among eating disorder patients than in the general population. Nevertheless, the high percentage of cases of abuse that were found in this group suggests that more attention should be paid to the role of early adverse sexual encounters in the context of eating disorders. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Bulimia, Anorexia nervosa

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Adult sequelae of child sexual abuse

Article Abstract:

Reports of childhood sex abuse cases are increasing. The fact that girls are more commonly abused than boys has remained constant. We still do not know exactly how large the problem is, whether it is increasing, or what the exact long-term effects are. In evaluating the existing body of research on sexual abuse, methodological problems (e.g., different definitions of abuse) make it difficult to qualify or quantify results. Few studies have utilized standardized data collection and outcome measures, and few have used control or comparison groups. The literature does show that depression is the symptom most commonly reported among adults who suffered sexual abuse as children. Clinical and nonclinical samples have shown victims of early sexual abuse to be more likely than their nonabused peers to engage in self-destructive acts, self-harm, and isolating behavior. Victims commonly report low self-esteem and feelings of stigmatization and alienation. Other commonly reported symptoms are anxiety, tension, sleeping difficulties, eating disorders, mood disorders, pelvic pain and other gynecological complaints. One study demonstrated a strong association between multiple personality disorder and childhood sexual abuse. Most clinically-based studies report problems in sexual adjustment. During adolescence there may be an extreme preoccupation with sexual matters, promiscuity, prostitution and unwanted pregnancy. Females who were sexually abused as children are more likely to have physically violent husbands and partners who abuse their children. Many studies indicate that father-daughter incest is the most traumatic type of sexual abuse. If a child reports the abuse and is believed by the mother or another adult, the outlook is better. Although long-term effects of child sexual abuse are not inevitable, the risk for mental health and social impairment is significant. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Social aspects, Child development, Child mental health

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Sexual abuse as a factor in eating disorders

Article Abstract:

Research has shown that there can be a relationship between sexual abuse and psychological problems in women. Similarly, it has been proposed that there is a link between sexual abuse and eating disorders, but the results of relevant studies are contradictory. Possible confounding factors include how sexual abuse is defined in a given study and the different methods used to assess the abuse. The link between child or adult sexual abuse and eating disorders was examined in the present study using data from 67 women with eating disorders. Data were compiled using self-reports by the subjects of unwanted sexual experiences. Thirty-two women (48 percent) reported experiencing some type of sexual abuse either as a child or as an adult. This was similar to a 51 percent rate of sexual abuse reported by subjects in a previous study of women with eating disorders, and slightly less than a 58 percent rate reported by women without eating disorders in another study. Most frequently, a known person was the abuser; physical force was used in 25 percent of the cases. The age of the patient at the time of abuse was not a factor. The rate of reported sexual abuse among women with eating disorders in the present study did not differ significantly from the rate found in a study of women without eating disorders, suggesting that sexual abuse may not cause eating disorders. However, bulimics in the present study were more likely than anorexics to report a history of sexual abuse, suggesting that previous sexual abuse may determine the nature of the disorder among women with eating disorders. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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