The Psychological Development Of Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused

It has been observed that sexually abused children tend to be less socially competent, more aggressive, and more socially withdrawn than non-abused children. A specific interpersonal effect of sexual abuse among children is that of increased sexual behavior. This is prominent when we were

This paper reviews several articles that discuss the lasting effects that sexual abuse can have on a child into their adult years. The articles agree that victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) will most likely suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or experience revictimization. This paper will also address the common forms of coping that victims of child sexual abuse take part in. Some research will touch on proper healing techniques for victims of CSA to receive.

. (Stewart, ) contends that feelings of vulnerability, unworthiness and powerless difficulty in distinguishing sexual from affectionate behaviours, mistrust, shame, guilt, stigma and mental health problems are psychological effects of CSA. A study conducted by (Wilson, 2010) indicates that adult survivors of CSA show a series of psychological and physical problems throughout their lives. (Hornor, 2010) argues that the majority of children who are sexually abused will be moderately to severely symptomatic at some point in their life. There is evidence to suggest that (Stevenson, 1999) children who are exposed to sexual abuse are at risk negative consequences as a result of the abuse itself, not solely as a consequence of other associated background

In the past ten years researchers have increase their knowledge on the understanding of the different effects that maltreatment has on early brain development. A foundation has been set for the neurobiological explanations of children who have experienced sexual abuse in their early years of life. The explanations include areas of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional struggles. There are many different internal and external factors that associate with the way the child develops into adulthood. Variables that can be taken into account are individual factors and environmental factors. For example individual factors consist of children’s temperaments and vulnerability. In regards to environmental factors this contains how caregivers portray abuse along with overall family atmosphere. Some other specific variables associated with abuse are duration, amount of violence, and relationship between victim and abuser. In addition, age has a strong impact on the victim in regards to adult sexual behavior. When a child is abused at a young age he or she is more likely to engage in sexualized external behavior. At the age of six or younger, children have a higher chance to show their abuse through inappropriate and aggressive sexualized behavior. As for older children of twelve and up they lean more towards fear of sex. These children shoe more internal behavior problems as well (Aaron, 2012).

As stated by John Briere and Diana Elliott, those who have been sexually assaulted as a child have “a four-time greater lifetime risk for major depression than do individuals with no such abuse history” (57). Kristen Springer, et al. found that, “46% of those with a history of childhood sexual abuse, compared with 28% of those with no abuse, had experienced a major depressive episode” (866). Depression “has been found to be the most common long-term symptom among survivors. Mayo Staff Clinic describes depression as, “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.” Melissa and Joshua Hall state that depression from childhood sexual assault results in, “survivors having difficulty in externalizing the abuse, thus thinking negatively about themselves” (2). It is said that symptoms of those abused may include,” feeling down much of the time, having suicidal ideation, having disturbed sleeping patterns, and having disturbed eating patterns” (Hall, 2). Although the assault may have occurred as much as 15 years ago or so, the misery from the event can continue to overpower one's happiness. Survivors tend to avoid others and feel almost useless, as if they have nothing to offer. Recurring misery and negative thoughts can take over the lives of adults and result in different levels of depression. Although not all of the

Throughout the world, some children suffer the trauma of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, leaving many overwhelmed by complex traumatic distress and at risk of psychopathology as adults (McCormack & Thomson, 2017). As many as 68% of children face emotional, physical, and/or sexual traumatic events in childhood (Cavanaugh, 2016). Contingent on the significant level of stress of the traumatic event, some will receive a psychiatric diagnosis in adulthood (McCormack & Thomson, 2017). Traumatic events are a threat or involve harm (McLaughlin & Lamber, 2017). Complex trauma during childhood may result from multiple, chronic, and prolonged developmentally adverse traumatic events, often as a result of interpersonal events in the child’s

Karajurt and Silver wrote the article, “Therapy for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Using Attachment and Family Systems Theory Orientations,” to show how Childhood Sexual Abuse affects the child through adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse is better known as any sexual contact that an adult does by using threats, force, deception, touching, and anything that the child does not know is wrong due to age and mental stability. Karakurt and Silver (2014), says that:

It is always so saddening to hear about sexual abuse especially when it involves a child, but many times there are more damaging psychological and emotional effects when a child is sexually abused. These effects can be short or long term and might not appear until later in life when the child has grown and understands what has happened. Events like these can alter a child’s perspective on life because sexuality is a big part of healthy development, but when it is important that sexuality occurs at the correct time of development and not in the form of sexual abuse.

Many people can say that they have either a good or a bad relationship with their family. There are reasons that lead up to what a person’s answer could possibly be. Reasons could include the way they were raised, major events in a family’s history, and how they were treated during their childhood. Suchitra Bhandari et al wanted to question how childhood sexual abuse could affect family characteristics and possibly the long-term effects it had on a population of people. Their study was to find a correspondence with how family characteristics and bonds with each other would be affected if someone was sexually abused as a child. The authors also wanted to know if the people that were sexually abused as a child had any long-term effects such as feeling lonely, or having a sexual attitude whenever they were older. A history of child sexual abuse (CSA) has been associated with high rates of psychological problems in clinical and non-clinical populations (Browne & Finkelhor, 1986; Cahill, Llewelyn & Pearson, 1991; Davis & Petretic-Jackson, 2000; Putnam, 2003; Tice, Whittenburg, Baker, & Lemmey, 2001). Child Sexual Abuse can be defined as another form of child abuse in which an adult uses a child for sexual stimulation or actiivities. Every family is different in their own way when it comes to the characteristics. A healthy family relationship provides the support that one may need in a critical time. The authors

179). Marsh (2008) further reports that people who are exposed to severe trauma and PTSD symptomatology further exacerbate their mental health with other co-occuring psychological disorders, particularly depression. Children who have been sexually abused suffer psychological and emotional consequences at the time it occurs and when they reach adolescence (Geldard, Geldard, & Foo, 2015). Van der Kolk (2001) highlights depression, self hatred, dissociation, suicidal ideation and relationship problems as common psychological symptoms (cited in Marsh, 2008). Widon (1994) asserts that ‘sexual victimization prior to adolescence contributes to the risk of delinquency in young people’ (cited in Geldard & Geldard, 2014, pp.24). According to Alexander and Kempe (1984) the most serious type of sexual abuse is ‘incest between father and daughter’ (cited in Geldard & Geldard, 2014, pp. 25). Studies show that victims are reluctant to divulge their childhood sexual abuse (Read, Hammersley, & Rudegair,

For victims, the effects of child sexual abuse can be devastating. Victims may feel significant distress and display a wide range of psychological symptoms such as feeling embarrassed, helpless, and mistrustful of others. Childhood sexual abuse not only disrupt the victims’ emotional and mental growth but increases the probability that they will experience other sexual assaults in the future. At times victims of childhood sexual abuse exhibit regressive behaviors that involve thumb-sucking, and bed-wetting in younger children, sleep disturbances, eating problems, behavior and/or academic glitches at school, lack of participation in school or social

Childhood sexual abuse has become very relevant is today’s culture, with around 45% of people reporting some sort of childhood or adolescent sexual abuse. Even this frighteningly high number could be underestimating the amount of abuse that actually happens, with many cases going unreported. This article, written for the American Counseling Association, takes a look at the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse and what a counselor may have to help their patient overcome. The article begins by defining childhood sexual abuse and the different types of abuse. Physical abuse is the most thought of, but verbal abuse and exploitation can also lead to detrimental after-effects. The severity of the effects has been linked to several factors

Life is completely different as a child. Life choices, people around you, stories you are told, and encountered feelings determine the formation of the identity of a child. Because children still have their innocence, they are often unaware of the dangers surrounding them in everyday life. Sexual abuse is a very serious factor that can destroy a childhood. These unfortunately common occurrences strike at alarming rates effecting unaware children at the worst times in their developmental stages. While undergoing these important changes, confusion, stress, happiness, and sadness all affect a child’s development differently than these emotions affect the adult. Because of this, sexually abused victims are often affected mentally, physically, and

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a growing social concern. Statistics reveal approximately a quarter of young adults experience sexual abuse during childhood with a further 1,761 aged 18-24 years (Lantern Project, 2012). Rates were appointed at 2,160 amongst the younger generation from 0-11. However, the highest prevalence age; ranges between 11-17, with 2,275 children affected (Lantern Project, 2012). CSA is socially constructed and remarkably influenced by the culture, resulting in complications to establish a universally agreed definition. Moreover, CSA can be seen as "forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activity" (Sanderson, 2006). Sexualized behavior can range from contact and/or non-contact sexual experiences, such as exposure

Child sexual abuse has long remained a topic of taboo, until recently where people have shown openness to be aware of its prevalence and its effects on children. People have found it difficult to acknowledge the fact that sexual abuse of children of all ages. The issue of sexual abuse among children has become a great concern for the communities and legislative bodies across the world. The sexual abuse can be classified into: