Presenting problems of sexually abused girls receiving psychiatric services

Article Abstract:

Some researchers have connected patterns of sexual abuse in childhood with a tendency to develop mental disorders later in life. Currently, there is no direct evidence that proves the development of any specific behavioral problem is a result of early sexual abuse. In an effort to identify characteristics of the victims of sexual abuse, 195 clinically referred abuse victims were compared with a control group. The children were divided into two groups; the first consisted of girls between the ages of two and 11; the second included adolescent girls between the ages of 12 and 18. An analysis of 23 behavioral characteristics was performed on all the subjects. The results of the data indicated that sexual abuse in childhood may contribute to the development of specific psychiatric symptoms. Among the younger girls who were abused, a greater probability of engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviors was observed, when compared with the control group. Also, delinquent behavior, sleep disturbances, and depression were more common in the abused group. In the older girls, specific characteristics also defined the sexually abused adolescents. Sexual precocity and seductive behavior around men were observed more frequently in the abused group. The sexually abused group also had a more episodes of running away from home. This last feature may be considered a method of coping, rather than a defective behavior; the perpetrator of the sexual abuse was frequently in the home environment. Increased physical aggression was not prevalent among children with histories of sexual abuse. In general, the number of 'marker' behaviors which may indicate past sexual abuse were considered limited. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Causes of, Childhood mental disorders, Child sexual abuse, Sexually abused children, Child psychopathology

---

Bodily shame as a mediator between abusive experiences and depression

Article Abstract:

The relationship between sexual/physical abuse, bodily shame and depression was examined based on interviews with 101 women. The study confirmed that bodily shame played a mediating role between early abuse and the onset of adult depression and that no relationship existed between adult depression and bodily shame. However, an association between childhood abuse and bodily shame was found and the relationship could not be explained by low-self esteem or bodily dissatisfaction.

Research, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Shame

---

Dissociative experiences, psychopathology and adjustment, and child and adolescent maltreatment in female college students

Article Abstract:

A study to expand the base of research concerning dissociation and to evaluate the utility of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) in a nonclinical setting was conducted. There were 66 subjects, including 33 controls, in the study. Results indicate that the DES is effective in the sense that the high scorers reported more psychopathology and maladjustment, but if used in a nonclinical setting to screen dissociative symptoms, it leads to false positives.

Dissociation (Psychology), Dissociative disorders, Women college students

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Assessment and treatment of sleep disorders in children and adolescents. Behavioural treatment for sleep problems in children with severe learning disabilities and challenging daytime behaviour: effect on daytime behaviour
• Abstracts: Family planning needs of female chronic psychiatric outpatients. Physical and sexual assault histories among psychiatric outpatients
• Abstracts: Frequency and correlates of childhood sexual and physical abuse histories in adult female borderline inpatients
• Abstracts: The enhancing effects of anxiety on arousal in sexually dysfunctional and functional women. Nonclinical panic in college students: an investigation of prevalence and symptomatology

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.