scholarly journals Sexual Violence and Its Associated Psychosocial Effects in Ireland

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052097819
Author(s):  
Frédérique Vallières ◽  
Brynne Gilmore ◽  
Ann Nolan ◽  
Peggy Maguire ◽  
Kristina Bondjers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Outcomes ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
History Of

Current data on the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of sexual violence in the Republic of Ireland is lacking, with the most recent sexual abuse and violence survey dating back to 2001. The current study sought to identify what proportion of Irish adults have experienced sexual violence, if there are sex differences in exposure to different forms of sexual violence, and to what extent different forms of sexual violence are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. To achieve these objectives, we carried out a nationally representative sample of Irish adults ( N = 1,020) completed self-report measures of history of sexual violence and mental health. Results suggest that approximately one-in-three (34.4%) Irish adults experienced some form of sexual violence, including 14.8% who were sexually assaulted (raped) and 31.1% who were sexually harassed. Women were significantly more likely than men to have experienced all forms of sexual violence ( ps < .001), with the exception of sexual assault by a parent or guardian. All forms of sexual violence were associated with an increased likelihood of serious mental health problems, with sexual assault by a parent/guardian associated with several other psychosocial outcomes in life, including education achievement, history of being taken into state care, salary, and employment status. Sexual violence is a common experience in the general population and women are disproportionately affected (1-in-2 women versus 1-in-5 men). Additional resources to increase mental health care among survivors of sexual violence is urgently needed. How our findings compare to Ireland’s previous sexual abuse and violence survey and the implications of our findings for policy are discussed.

Assessing Sexual Assault and Reacting to Client Disclosures During Assessment

2021 ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Amie R. Newins ◽  
Laura C. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
History Of ◽  
Assessment Measures

In mental health settings, not all survivors of sexual assault will present due to concerns related to their sexual assault, and even among those who do, some may not disclose this history without prompting. Given the prevalence of sexual abuse and sexual assault, all clients should be screened for a history of exposure to these experiences. A wide range of self-report and interview measures are available for this purpose; a brief overview of measures available for both child and adult populations is provided. In this chapter, considerations for choosing assessment measures are discussed to help providers select appropriate measures to use in their clinical practice. In particular, this chapter provides information about how language in assessment measures may affect disclosure from clients. Finally, this chapter provides recommendations for reacting to client disclosures during an assessment.

scholarly journals Sexual violence and mental health services: a call to action

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 594-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hughes ◽  
Michael Lucock ◽  
Charlie Brooker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Clear Association ◽  
History Of

AbstractPeople who experience sexual violence are highly likely to experience psychological and/or mental health (MH) problems as a result. People who use MH services often have a history of sexual assault and are also likely to be revictimised as an adult. Yet despite there being a very clear association, MH services are not yet performing routine enquiry, and even if they do, are not confident about how to record and manage disclosures. There is some emerging evidence that people with MH problems are exposed to sexual violence in inpatient MH settings, perpetrated by both other patients or members of staff. In this editorial, we explore the evidence to support a wider focus on sexual violence as a part of routine care, as well as some recommendations about how staff can more effectively discuss sexual issues including that of sexual victimisation.

scholarly journals Sexual violence and suicidal ideation among French adults, a mediation analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
F El-Khoury ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives Sexual violence against women is endemic and is linked with a host of mental health problems and suicidal behaviour. We test whether sexual violence is more prevalent and have more damaging psychological effects among women compared to men, and quantify its mediating role in the association between sex and suicidal ideation and behaviour. Methods We used data from the “Health Barometer” (Baromètre Santé) 2017 a cross-sectional phone survey, which recruited a nationally representative sample of French adults aged 18 to 75 years in 2017 (n = 25319). Data were weighted to be representative of the French adult population. Outcomes included suicidal ideation, imagery of suicide, and suicide attempts in the preceding year. We conducted mutlivariable mediation analysis using the counterfactual approach to evaluate the contribution that lifetime sexual violence has in the association between sex and suicidal ideation and behaviour. Results We found that women are five times more likely to have experienced sexual victimisation, and are more at risk of any suicidal ideation and imagery of suicide in the preceding year compared to men. Women and men had comparable rates of suicide attempts in the preceding year. We estimated that 47% of the increased risk of suicidal ideation in the preceding year women have compared to men is mediated by lifetime sexual assault. Lifetime sexual assault also explained 39% of the association between sex and having imagery of suicide. Discussion Our findings reiterate the importance of the prevention of sexual violence and an adequate care for sexual assault victims, especially women, in public health and mental health policies and initiatives. Key messages Women are five times more likely to have experienced sexual victimisation compared to men, and are more likely to suffer from suicidal ideation in the preceding year. Experience of lifetime sexual violence contributes substantially (around 50%) to women’s increased likelihood of suicidal ideation compared to men.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Vulnerability Among Patients Contacting a Norwegian Sexual Assault Center

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 2138-2157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjarte Frode Vik ◽  
Jim Aage Nöttestad ◽  
Berit Schei ◽  
Kirsten Rasmussen ◽  
Cecilie Therese Hagemann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vulnerability Factors ◽  
Vulnerability Factor ◽  
History Of ◽  
Specific Vulnerability

In this study, the objective was to assess the occurrence of specific vulnerability factors among adult and adolescent females attending a Norwegian sexual assault center (SAC). We also explored assault characteristics and investigated whether these characteristics differed between the group of patients with vulnerability factors compared with the group without such factors. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 573 women ≥ 12 years of age attending the SAC at St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, between July 1, 2003 and December 31, 2010. A patient was considered vulnerable if at least one of the following features was present: intellectual or physical disability; history of present/former mental health problems; history of present/former alcohol/substance abuse; or former sexual assault. At least one vulnerability factor was present in 59% of the cases. More than one vulnerability factor was present in 29%. Reporting at least one vulnerability factor was associated with a higher patient age, unemployment, a higher frequency of reported light/moderate physical violence, and the documentation of minor body injury. In contrast, those without vulnerability more often were students assaulted during night time, by a casual or stranger assailant and reporting a higher intake of alcohol prior to the assault. There are obvious patterns of differences in the nature of sexual assaults reported among victims with specific vulnerability factors compared with victims without these factors. Future research should address these differences and possible solutions for better protection of especially vulnerable individuals against sexual offenses, such as those with mental health and substance abuse difficulties.

scholarly journals Child maltreatment and mental health problems in adulthood: birth cohort study

2018 ◽  
Vol 213 (6) ◽  
pp. 698-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Kisely ◽  
Amanuel Alemu Abajobir ◽  
Ryan Mills ◽  
Lane Strathearn ◽  
Alexandra Clavarino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Birth Cohort Study

BackgroundRetrospective studies have shown a high association between child abuse and subsequent psychiatric morbidity. Prospective studies are rarer.AimsTo examine, using a prospective record-linkage analysis, whether substantiated child maltreatment is associated with adverse psychological outcomes in early adulthood.MethodThe participants were 3778 mother and child pairs enrolled in a population-based birth cohort study in Brisbane, Australia. Exposure to suspected child maltreatment was measured by linkage with state child protection agency data. The primary outcomes were the internalising and externalising scales of the Youth Self-Report and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scales (CES-D) at approximately 21 years of age. A subset completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Auto version (CIDI-Auto).ResultsIn total, 171 (4.5%) participants had a history of substantiated child maltreatment, most commonly emotional abuse (n= 91), followed by physical abuse (n= 78), neglect (n= 73) and sexual abuse (n= 54). After adjustment for potential confounders, depressive symptoms on the CES-D, as well as internalising and externalising behaviours were strongly associated with substantiated abuse in all forms, except sexual abuse. The results for the subset of the sample who completed the CIDI-Auto were less clear. Anxiety, especially post-traumatic stress disorder, showed the strongest association whereas the findings for depressive disorder were equivocal. However, across all diagnostic categories, emotional abuse and neglect, as well as multiple forms of abuse, showed a consistent association.ConclusionsChild maltreatment, particularly neglect and emotional abuse, has serious adverse effects on early adult mental health. These two warrant the attention given to other forms of child maltreatment. Children experiencing more than one type of maltreatment are at particular risk.Declaration of interestNone.

Screening for abuse and mental health problems among illiterate runaway adolescents in an Indian metropolis

2012 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 947-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepti Pagare Bhat ◽  
Meghachandra Singh ◽  
Gajendra Singh Meena
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Physical And Sexual Abuse

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, and their relation to mental health problems among the illiterate/semiliterate runaway adolescents in New Delhi, India.DesignCross sectional.SettingNew Delhi, India.PatientsRunaway adolescent boys (n=119) aged 11 to 18 years at an observation home.MethodsStudy subjects were screened for physical and sexual abuse using the Child Maltreatment History Self Report and Finkelhor's sexual abuse scale. Mental health problems were identified using the Achenbach's Youth Self-Report scale. As the participants were illiterate or semiliterate with Hindi being their primary language, the screening tools were appropriately translated, read out to them and their responses recorded.ResultsA total of 72 (62%) boys experienced domestic violence, 70 (59%) had engaged in substance abuse and 103 (87%) boys had been employed as child labourers. Physical abuse was reported by 86 (72%) and sexual abuse by 42 (35%). Mental health problems were recognised in 83 (70%) boys, which included internalising syndromes (59%) and externalising syndromes (34%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that physical abuse was an independent predictor of internalising syndromes (OR: 3.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 9.1; p<0.01), while substance abuse and sexual abuse were independent predictors of externalising syndromes.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that childhood abuse and mental health disorders are widely prevalent among the runaway adolescents evaluated at an observation home in New Delhi. Appropriate modification of the standardised self-report screening tools may allow the identification of mental health disorders in this vulnerable illiterate/semiliterate population.

scholarly journals The effect of Sexual violence on women’s suicide risk. A mediation analysis based on the nationally-representative 2017 French Health Barometer survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F El-Khoury ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Objectives The experience of sexual violence has been associated with a host of mental health problems, especially among women. However, data on this association from a large sample of general population is surprisingly limited. Also, no study quantifies sex-differences in the effect of sexual victimization on suicide risk. Methods The French “Health Barometer” (Baromètre Santé) is a cross-sectional phone survey, which recruited a nationally representative sample of French adults aged 18 to 75 years in 2017 (n = 25319). Data were weighted to be representative of the French adult population. The Experience and timing of lifetime physical sexual violence, as well as suicide risk were measured for all participants. We conducted adjusted mediation analyses, using the counterfactual approach, to evaluate the contribution that lifetime sexual victimisation has in the association between sex and suicide risk. Results The median age for the first experience of sexual violence was 12. Women were around five times more likely to report lifetime sexual violence compared to men (9.1% vs 1.9%), and were more at risk of any suicidal ideation (Ora =1.20 (95%CI: 1.07-1.36)) and suicidal imagery (Ora=1.39 (95%CI: 1.20 -1.61)). We estimated that 47% of the increased risk of suicidal ideation in the preceding year women have compared to men is mediated by lifetime sexual assault. Lifetime sexual assault also explained 39% of the association between sex and having imagery of suicide. Discussion Our findings reiterate the importance of the prevention of sexual violence and an adequate care for sexual assault victims, especially women, in public health and mental health policies and initiatives.

scholarly journals Acute mental health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill M. Newby ◽  
Kathleen O’Moore ◽  
Samantha Tang ◽  
Helen Christensen ◽  
Kate Faasse
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health Diagnosis

AbstractThe acute and long-term mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are unknown. The current study examined the acute mental health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in 5070 adult participants in Australia, using an online survey administered during the peak of the outbreak in Australia (27th March to 7th April 2020). Self-report questionnaires examined COVID-19 fears and behavioural responses to COVID-19, as well as the severity of psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress), health anxiety, contamination fears, alcohol use, and physical activity. 78% of respondents reported that their mental health had worsened since the outbreak, one quarter (25.9%) were very or extremely worried about contracting COVID-19, and half (52.7%) were worried about family and friends contracting COVID-19. Uncertainty, loneliness and financial worries (50%) were common. Rates of elevated psychological distress were higher than expected, with 62%, 50%, and 64% of respondents reporting elevated depression, anxiety and stress levels respectively, and one in four reporting elevated health anxiety in the past week. Participants with self-reported history of a mental health diagnosis had significantly higher distress, health anxiety, and COVID-19 fears than those without a prior mental health diagnosis. Demographic (e.g., non-binary or different gender identity; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status), occupational (e.g., being a carer or stay at home parent), and psychological (e.g., perceived risk of contracting COVID-19) factors were associated with distress. Results revealed that precautionary behaviours (e.g., washing hands, using hand sanitiser, avoiding social events) were common, although in contrast to previous research, higher engagement in hygiene behaviours was associated with higher stress and anxiety levels. These results highlight the serious acute impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of respondents, and the need for proactive, accessible digital mental health services to address these mental health needs, particularly for those most vulnerable, including people with prior history of mental health problems. Longitudinal research is needed to explore long-term predictors of poor mental health from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adolescent antecedents of maternal and paternal perinatal depression: a 36-year prospective cohort

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly C Thomson ◽  
Helena Romaniuk ◽  
Christopher J Greenwood ◽  
Primrose Letcher ◽  
Elizabeth Spry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Postnatal Depression ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Perinatal Depression ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Rates of common mental health problems (depression/anxiety) rise sharply in adolescence and peak in young adulthood, often coinciding with the transition to parenthood. Little is known regarding the persistence of common mental health problems from adolescence to the perinatal period in both mothers and fathers. Methods A total of 393 mothers (686 pregnancies) and 257 fathers (357 pregnancies) from the intergenerational Australian Temperament Project Generation 3 Study completed self-report assessments of depression and anxiety in adolescence (ages 13–14, 15–16, 17–18 years) and young adulthood (ages 19–20, 23–24, 27–28 years). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms at 32 weeks pregnancy and 12 months postpartum in mothers, and at 12 months postpartum in fathers. Results Most pregnancies (81%) in which mothers reported perinatal depression were preceded by a history of mental health problems in adolescence or young adulthood. Similarly, most pregnancies (83%) in which fathers reported postnatal depression were preceded by a preconception history of mental health problems. After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds of self-reporting perinatal depression in both women and men were consistently higher in those with a history of persistent mental health problems across adolescence and young adulthood than those without (ORwomen 5.7, 95% CI 2.9–10.9; ORmen 5.5, 95% CI 1.03–29.70). Conclusions Perinatal depression, for the majority of parents, is a continuation of mental health problems with onsets well before pregnancy. Strategies to promote good perinatal mental health should start before parenthood and include both men and women.

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