Psychobiological Consequences of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Current Knowledge and Clinical Implications

A large body of research has documented the long-term harms of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on an individual’s emotional-adaptive function and mental health. Recent studies have also provided evidence of the biological impact of CSA, implicating specific alterations in many systems, including the endocrine and immune systems, and in DNA and chromatin, in the pathogenesis of medical disorders. Although the effects of CSA are often examined with regard to the general impact of early-life traumatic experiences, the study of CSA per sè, as a trigger of specific pathogenic pathways, would be more appropriate to understand their long-term implications and develop tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Based on these premises, this narrative minireview summarizes the research on the short-term and long-term sequelae of CSA, focusing on dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the effects on the immune system, and the changes to DNA through altered methylation. Also, we discuss the literature that examines dysfunctional DNA telomere erosion and oxidative stress markers as a sign of CSA. Finally, recent evidence of the intergenerational transmission of the effects of CSA is reported. The impact of CSA on brain connectivity and functions is out of the scope of this review, thus brain imaging studies are not included. The results of this minireview are discussed, considering their implications for prevention and clinical practice.

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The Moderating Impact of Social Support Following Childhood Sexual Abuse

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.7.2.173 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 173-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Maria Testa ◽

Brenda A. Miller ◽

William R. Downs ◽

Denise Panek

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Self Esteem ◽

The Impact

The role of social support in moderating the impact of childhood sexual abuse on adult psychological adjustment was examined. Subjects included 475 women, age 18-45, some of whom were currently receiving treatment, others who were not. Women in the treatment group were receiving therapy for either alcoholism, for being battered, or for mental health problems. The comparison group was drawn from two sources: a random household sample and a sample of women attending drinking driver classes. Among both groups, women who had been sexually abused exhibited more psychological symptoms and lower self-esteem compared to those who were not abused. Latency of disclosure of childhood sexual abuse had no impact on long-term consequences of the abuse for either the treatment or the comparison group. However, among women in the comparison group, those who experienced supportive reactions following disclosure of sexual abuse had fewer psychological symptoms and somewhat higher self-esteem relative to those who did not receive support. Social support had no apparent effect on the long-term adjustment of women in the treatment group. Possible explanations for this pattern and directions for future research are discussed.

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The impact of childhood sexual abuse on the mental and physical health, and healthcare utilization of older adults

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610215001672 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 415-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Yumiko Kamiya ◽

Virpi Timonen ◽

Rose Anne Kenny

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽

Physical Health ◽

Healthcare Utilization ◽

Least Square ◽

Reported Health ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental And Physical Health

ABSTRACTBackground:The aim of this study is to examine the long-term association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and mental and physical health, especially with conditions related to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysfunction such as mood disorders, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, pain disorders, and measures of frailty and functional mobility. In addition, we examined the impact of CSA on self-reported health and healthcare utilization.Methods:Data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing were employed (N = 8,178). The effects of CSA on mental health, physical health, and healthcare utilization in old age population were estimated by ordinal least square, logistic regression, and Poisson regression, controlling for demographic factors, childhood adversities, and behavioral health.Results:Six percent of respondents reported CSA with little variation by gender. A significant association was found between CSA and mental health. Those who reported CSA were more likely to have depression, anxiety, worry, loneliness, and low quality of life. Poor self-reported health, lung disease, arthritis, peptic ulcer, chronic pain as well as high levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein were associated with CSA. Further, those who reported CSA were more likely to report doctor and hospital visits than those without a history of CSA.Conclusions:Findings from the present study show that CSA has significant long-term mental and physical consequences, whereby early life events are linked to later life health outcomes.

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Focus on Clinical Health Psychology: The Impact of Clergy Sexual Abuse on Religiosity: Implications for Long-Term Health

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e368252004-002 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

Keyword(s):

Health Psychology ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Clinical Health Psychology ◽

Clergy Sexual Abuse ◽

The Impact

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Childhood Sexual Abuse and Long-Term Physical Health Outcomes

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e539292014-001 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Anna C. Hoffman ◽

Elizabeth M. Altmaier

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Health ◽

Physical Health Outcomes

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The impact of childhood sexual abuse on women's dental experiences

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e588102009-013 ◽

1997 ◽

Author(s):

Sheila F. Stanley

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽

The Impact

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1415. A qualitative study of intersectional stigma among older adults living with HIV who are victims of childhood sexual abuse

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1597 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S715-S715

Author(s):

Chigozie A Nkwonta ◽

Monique Brown ◽

Titilayo James ◽

Amandeep Kaur

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

South Carolina ◽

Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽

Hiv Disclosure ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Public Health Programs ◽

Intersecting Identities ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Intersectional stigma is based upon co-occurring and intersecting identities or conditions and occurs at multiple levels of influence. Intersectional stigma has been repeatedly associated with poor health behaviors and outcomes. The effect of intersectional stigma among older adults are particularly challenging due to issues related to ageism, loss of social support, and comorbidities. We examined the impact of multiple stigmas on older adults living with HIV who are victims of childhood sexual abuse. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposefully selected heterogeneous sample of 24 adults living with HIV who are 50 years and older in South Carolina. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using thematic analysis. Results Participants shared experiences and perceptions of stigma and discrimination most commonly related to their HIV status and sexuality at the interpersonal/familial and community levels. Four themes emerged to explain the impact of intersectional stigma: depression, lack of HIV disclosure, limited support, and reduced intimacy. Conclusion The complexity of multiple stigmas profoundly shapes life experiences, opportunities, and mental health of older adults living with HIV. This study highlights that public health programs need to consider the impact of intersectional stigma in order to promote the wellbeing of and improve quality of life for older adults living with HIV. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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COVID-19 Infection during Pregnancy: Risk of Vertical Transmission, Fetal, and Neonatal Outcomes

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11060483 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 483

Author(s):

Marwa Saadaoui ◽

Manoj Kumar ◽

Souhaila Al Khodor

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Vertical Transmission ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Limited Data ◽

Pregnancy Risk ◽

Public Health Challenge ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Critical Public Health ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide, critical public health challenge and is considered one of the most communicable diseases that the world had faced so far. Response and symptoms associated with COVID-19 vary between the different cases recorded, but it is amply described that symptoms become more aggressive in subjects with a weaker immune system. This includes older subjects, patients with chronic diseases, patients with immunosuppression treatment, and pregnant women. Pregnant women are receiving more attention not only because of their altered physiological and immunological function but also for the potential risk of viral vertical transmission to the fetus or infant. However, very limited data about the impact of maternal infection during pregnancy, such as the possibility of vertical transmission in utero, during birth, or via breastfeeding, is available. Moreover, the impact of infection on the newborn in the short and long term remains poorly understood. Therefore, it is vital to collect and analyze data from pregnant women infected with COVID-19 to understand the viral pathophysiology during pregnancy and its effects on the offspring. In this article, we review the current knowledge about pre-and post-natal COVID-19 infection, and we discuss whether vertical transmission takes place in pregnant women infected with the virus and what are the current recommendations that pregnant women should follow in order to be protected from the virus.

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Geochemical Behaviour of Uranium in Sedimentary Formations: Insights From a Natural Analogue Study

ASME 2009 12th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management, Volume 2 ◽

10.1115/icem2009-16340 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ulrich Noseck ◽

Vaclava Havlova ◽

Juhani Suksi ◽

Thomas Brasser ◽

Radek Cervinka

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Natural Analogue ◽

Near Surface ◽

Co2 Partial Pressure ◽

Long Term Stability ◽

Reducing Conditions ◽

Phosphate Mineral ◽

Sedimentary System ◽

The Impact

Groundwater data from the natural analogue site Ruprechtov have been evaluated with special emphasis on the uranium behaviour in the so-called uranium-rich clay/lignite horizon. In this horizon in-situ Eh-values in the range of −160 to −280 mV seem to be determined by the SO42−/HS− couple. Under these conditions U(IV) is expected to be the preferential redox state in solution. However, on-site measurements in groundwater from the clay/lignite horizon show only a fraction of about 20% occurring in the reduced state U(IV). Thermodynamic calculations reveal that the high CO2 partial pressure in the clay/lignite horizon can stabilise hexavalent uranium, which explains the occurrence of U(VI). The calculations also indicate that the low uranium concentrations in the range between 0.2 and 2.1μg/l are controlled by amorphous UO2 and/or the U(IV) phosphate mineral ningyoite. This confirms the findings from previous work that the uranium (IV) mineral phases are long-term stable under the reducing conditions in the clay/lignite horizon without any signatures for uranium mobilisation. It supports the current knowledge of the geological development of the site and is also another important indication for the long-term stability of the sedimentary system itself, namely of the reducing geochemical conditions in the near-surface (30m to 60 m deep) clay/lignite horizon. Further work with respect to the impact of changes in redox conditions on the uranium speciation is on the way.

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Sexual Revictimization: The Impact of Attachment Anxiety, Accumulated Trauma, and Response to Childhood Sexual Abuse Disclosure

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-13-00098 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 49-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Inbal Brenner ◽

Galit Ben-Amitay

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽

Child Neglect ◽

Attachment Anxiety ◽

Sexual Revictimization ◽

Abuse Disclosure ◽

Sexual Abuse Disclosure ◽

Environmental Responses ◽

Childhood Traumas ◽

The Impact

It has been proposed that a complexity of personal, interpersonal, and environmental factors is related to sexual revictimization among childhood sexual abuse survivors. In this study, we investigated the relations between attachment dimensions, exposure to accumulated childhood traumas, reaction to childhood sexual abuse disclosure, and adult sexual revictimization. Participants were 60 Israeli women with histories of childhood sexual abuse. Seventy percent of the women reported adult sexual revictimization. Revictimization was related to higher attachment anxiety but not to higher attachment avoidance. Revictimization was also related to emotional and physical child abuse but not to emotional and physical child neglect. Revictimization rates were higher among women who had received negative environmental responses following childhood sexual abuse disclosure than among women who had received supportive reactions and those who had not disclosed childhood sexual abuse at all. Findings were significant even after controlling for severity of childhood sexual abuse. The findings emphasize the role of various contextual-interpersonal factors on revictimization vulnerability among the survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

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