Crimson Publishers Blogger: Childhood Sexual Abuse: Scars Left for Life

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Childhood Sexual Abuse: Scars Left for Life_Crimson Publishers

Childhood Sexual Abuse: Scars Left for Life by Alisha Arora in Psychology and Psychotherapy: Research Study_Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy

Abstract

The occurrence and prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a growing concern across the globe. The survivors of CSA experience its aftermath for years. The post-trauma consequences were classified broadly as-(i) physical, (ii) psychiatric, and (iii) psychosocial. The present review highlights the extant association of CSA with outcomes ranging from somatic/physical pain to psychiatric disorders to psychosocial dynamics of school dropout, sexual re-victimization, and sexual offending. The scars of CSA are deep rooted and through the review the need was observed to address the problem with extensive programs, interventions and policies, at the earliest stages.

Keywords: Childhood sexual abuse; Trauma; Outcomes; Trauma survivors

Childhood Sexual Abuse: Scars Left for Life

Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a global concern which is increasing in prevalence worldwide. The World Health Organization [1] defines CSA as “the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend and is unable to give informed consent to, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared, or else that violate the laws or social taboos of society”. Prevalence rates of CSA are concerning with females being more targeted. In a recent review by Barth et al. [2], it was observed that CSA prevalence rates were 8 to 31% for girls and 3 to 17% for boys. There has been a widespread work on the clinical outcomes and consequences of CSA, depicting the chronic scars it leaves behind. The consequences can broadly be categorized as physical, psychiatric, and psychosocial. CSA survivors are exposed to a varied range of impairment and difficulties in their adulthood and are always more vulnerable than their counterparts. Physical outcomes mostly include gastrointestinal symptoms, obesity, fibromyalgia, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and asthma [3]. Estimates of a history of CSA among a population of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia range from 50 to 67% [4]. Among the ones suffering from non-organic gastrointestinal health issues, CSA survivors account for 53% [5].

Chronic hyper-arousal of the stress response and hyper-vigilance to the environment as a consequence of CSA makes survivors more vulnerable to stress. Stress, in turn leads to complex disease processes. Hence, among survivors, a reduced immune capacity and resultant health consequences are seen for a long time. CSA exposure considerably impacts the metabolic processes, as a result of stress hormones being vulnerable. Obesity hence is found among most of the survivors. Depression, a mental health outcome further reinforces obesity. Psychiatric manifestations depict the severity of mental health outcome. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a commonly associated consequence [6] which can be an etiological cause for poor coping skills and poor problem-solving skills among survivors. Deficits in these life skills pave the way for depression, anxiety, and maladaptive personalities [7]. Along with biochemical factors, psychological mechanisms involving cognitive errors and poor coping skills are primary reasons of mood disorders among survivors. Beliefs such as I am not lovable, People are bad, I cannot deal myself, are errors which persists post-event. Eating disorders are also associated with CSA primarily involving bulimia nervosa and binge eating pattern [8]. Eating and purging can be faulty coping mechanism for stress in victims. Substance abuse, after PTSD is the most commonly studied outcome among CSA survivors [9].

According to Devries et al. [10], CSA is associated with increased odds of suicide attempts. Klonsky and Moyer [11] explain that self-injurious behaviour is a proxy consequence of other psychiatric vulnerabilities which occur as a CSA consequence. Dissociation, alexithymia, and borderline personality disorder has relatively higher link with CSA aftermath and act as moderators for suicidal behaviour/tendency. Psychosocial dynamics are perhaps the most extensive and deep scars CSA leads to. Lloyd et al. [12] explains sexual re-victimization, risky sex behaviour and risk of sexually transmitted diseases (like HIV) prominent among CSA survivors. Poor frustration tolerance and dissatisfaction may validate findings that CSA survivors have poor quality of relationships with partners [13]. Duncan [14] found in his longitudinal study that exposure to CSA leads to school/college dropout (up to 65%) and low scholastic performance. The effects of CSA at the family level may be economic, resulting in loss of income that may lead to change of residency and dropping out of school for the survivor [15]. In addition, sexual offending by survivors, involving offense against adults and/or children has also been indicated [16]. The sexually abused-sexual abuser association can be explained on basis of learning theory as per Burton [17] who mentions it as imitation of the perpetrator’s behavior and reinforcement of associated attitudes, and beliefs.

India is home to a vast youth population. Exposure to trauma, specifically CSA remains a challenge. Less reporting and stigma attached further bleaks the chance of reaching out to victims. The effects are either immediate or long term and lack of help ends most of them in hospitals or jails. Interventions and regulations have led to development of stricter laws. But the destination is still far away. Effects of CSA are varied and not uniform. It affects the victim, their families and their future, for a longer duration. Physical, psychiatric, and psychosocial outcomes have been evidenced in studies across globe. However, non-uniform definition of CSA, non-experimental methodology and reduced report rates of CSA weakens the empirical value. But we cannot ignore the fact that outcomes are there, and they are life changing. The essential message is to extensively work upon the programs, interventions and policies which ensure minimizing the exposure of CSA and provide the children and society, a safer-healthier future.