Disgusted by Sexual Abuse: Exploring the Association Between Disgust Sensitivity and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Mothers of Sexually Abused Children

The effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) have been found to surpass generations as maternal history of CSA is associated with increased difficulties in sexually abused children. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. The present study aimed to test maternal mental health symptoms including psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and dissociation as mediators of the relationship between maternal CSA and children’s internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms in a large sample of sexually abused children. A total of 997 sexually abused children aged 3-14 years old and their mothers were recruited at five specialized intervention centers offering services to sexually abused children and their families. The children were divided into two groups depending on their mothers’ self-reported history of CSA. Mothers completed a series of questionnaires assessing their mental health and children’s functioning. Maternal history of CSA was associated with increased maternal psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and dissociation following children’s disclosure of CSA. In turn, maternal psychological distress and maternal dissociation were associated with increased child internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms. Maternal PTSD symptoms were associated with child internalizing symptoms. Maternal mental health difficulties mediated the association between maternal CSA and sexually abused children’s maladaptive outcomes. Clinicians should assess for possible history of CSA in mothers of sexually abused children and determine how best to support them to cope with the aftermaths of their child’s disclosure and with their own traumatic past.

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Experiences of mothers of sexually abused children in North-West province, post disclosure

Curationis ◽

10.4102/curationis.v39i1.1659 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gaboipolelwe M. Masilo ◽

Mashudu Davhana-Maselesele

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Secondary Trauma ◽

Emotional Pain ◽

Abused Children ◽

North West ◽

South African Police Service ◽

The North ◽

North West Province ◽

Sexually Abused Children

Background: Sexual violence against children is increasing at an alarming rate in South Africa. In 2010 the South African Police Service (SAPS) reported 21 538 rape cases of children under 18 years. In the North-West province (NWP) 5039 incidents of rape cases were reported in 2009. Mothers often experience emotional pain following child sexual abuse disclosure. It is seldom acknowledged that these mothers experience trauma and need support, post disclosure. The researcher has no known evidence of research conducted on the experiences of these mothers in NWP. Objective: The objective of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of mothers of sexually abused children post disclosure of the abuse. Method: The research design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Purposive sampling was used to select mothers of sexually abused children aged 23 to 59 years whose children ranged from 0 to 16 years. Permission to conduct the study was sought from the Provincial Department of Health and informed consent was obtained from the mothers. Interviews were conducted with a sample of n = 17 until data saturation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using a voice recorder and field notes to enhance triangulation. Tesch’s method of open coding was used to analyse data. Results: Findings indicated that mothers experienced emotional pain post sexual abuse. They expressed shock, anger and guilt for not noticing the abuse. They showed significant depression as a result of lack of support by stakeholders. Conclusion: Mothers experienced secondary trauma that poses social and psychological challenges with far-reaching implications.

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Medical Evaluation of Sexually Abused Children: A Review of 311 Cases

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.69.1.8 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 8-14

Author(s):

Mary Ellen Rimsza ◽

Elaine H. Niggemann

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Physical Examination ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Abused Children ◽

Medical Evaluation ◽

Time Period ◽

Victims Of Sexual Abuse ◽

Sexually Abused Children

The case records of 311 children and adolescents who were medically evaluated for sexual abuse are reviewed. Only 18% of these victims were assaulted by strangers; 131 of the assailants were relatives. Thirty percent of the victims reported multiple assaults over a time period of one week to nine years. Physical examination showed no abnormalities in only 23% of the patients. Twenty-one patients had gonorrhea and seven patients were pregnant. Guidelines for the medical evaluation of patients suspected to be victims of sexual abuse are discussed.

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Sexual Abuse of Children: Implications for Practice

Social Casework ◽

10.1177/104438948106201004 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 62 (10) ◽

pp. 601-606 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Jon R. Conte ◽

Lucy Berliner

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Social Work ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Sex Offender ◽

Descriptive Data ◽

Abused Children ◽

Sexually Abused Children

Descriptive data on sexually abused children confirm that most children are abused by members or acquaintances of their own families. Social work services for victims should include efforts to protect the child from further abuse, and insure that the child, non-abusing parent, and sex offender receive services.

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