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Child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology: Results from the national comorbidity survey

Author

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  • Molnar, B.E.
  • Buka, S.L.
  • Kessler, R.C.

Abstract

Objectives. This study examined the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and subsequent onset of psychiatric disorders, accounting for other childhood adversities, CSA type, and chronicity of the abuse. Methods. Retrospective reports of CSA, other adversities, and psychiatric disorders were obtained by the National Comorbidity Survey, a nationally representative survey of the United States (n = 5877). Reports were analyzed by multivariate31yyy methods. Results. CSA was reported by 13.5% of women and 2.5% of men. When other childhood adversities were controlled for, significant associations were found between CSA and subsequent onset of 14 mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders among women and 5 among men. In a subsample of respondents reporting no other adversities, odds of depression and substance problems associated with CSA were higher. Among women, rape (vs molestation), knowing the perpetrator (vs strangers), and chronicity of CSA (vs isolated incidents) were associated with higher odds of some disorders. Conclusions. CSA usually occurs as pan of a larger syndrome of childhood adversities. Nonetheless, CSA, whether alone or in a larger adversity cluster, is associated with substantial increased risk of subsequent psychopathology.

Suggested Citation

  • Molnar, B.E. & Buka, S.L. & Kessler, R.C., 2001. "Child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology: Results from the national comorbidity survey," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(5), pages 753-760.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2001:91:5:753-760_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Geraldine Macdonald & Julian Higgins & Paul Ramchandani, 2006. "Cognitive‐Behavioural Interventions for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(1), pages 1-60.
    2. Gewirtz-Meydan, Ateret, 2020. "The relationship between child sexual abuse, self-concept and psychopathology: The moderating role of social support and perceived parental quality," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    3. Mercede van Voorthuizen & Irene Renate Faber & Daphne van de Bongardt & Nicolette Schipper-van Veldhoven, 2022. "A Qualitative Exploration of a Biopsychosocial Profile for Experiencing Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sports," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Bach Xuan Tran & Thang Van Pham & Giang Hai Ha & Anh Toan Ngo & Long Hoang Nguyen & Thuc Thi Minh Vu & Ha Ngoc Do & Vu Nguyen & Anh Tuan Le Nguyen & Tung Thanh Tran & Nu Thi Truong & Vuong Quan Hoang , 2018. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Global Research Trend in Child Maltreatment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Orton, Heather D. & Riggs, Paula D. & Libby, Anne M., 2009. "Prevalence and characteristics of depression and substance use in a U.S. child welfare sample," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 649-653, June.
    6. Sari Gokten, Emel & Saday Duman, Nagihan, 2016. "Factors influencing the development of psychiatric disorders in the victims of sexual abuse: A study on Turkish children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 49-55.
    7. Barrett, Alan & Kamiya, Yumiko & Sullivan, Vincent O’, 2014. "Childhood sexual abuse and later-life economic consequences," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 10-16.
    8. Bramesfeld, Anke & Platt, Lisa & Schwartz, Friedrich Wilhelm, 2006. "Possibilities for intervention in adolescents' and young adults' depression from a public health perspective," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(2-3), pages 121-131, December.
    9. Bott, Sarah & Morrison, Andrew & Ellsberg, Mary, 2005. "Preventing and responding to gender-based violence in middle and low-income countries : a global review and analysis," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3618, The World Bank.
    10. Turner, Heather A. & Finkelhor, David & Hamby, Sherry L. & Shattuck, Anne, 2013. "Family structure, victimization, and child mental health in a nationally representative sample," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 39-51.
    11. Turner, Heather A. & Finkelhor, David & Ormrod, Richard, 2006. "The effect of lifetime victimization on the mental health of children and adolescents," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 13-27, January.
    12. Steinberg, Julia Renee & Russo, Nancy F., 2008. "Abortion and anxiety: What's the relationship?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 238-252, July.
    13. Seung Min Bae & Jae Myeong Kang & Hyoung Yoon Chang & Woori Han & So Hee Lee, 2018. "PTSD correlates with somatization in sexually abused children: Type of abuse moderates the effect of PTSD on somatization," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-11, June.
    14. Cho, Sujung & Wooldredge, John, 2016. "The link between juvenile offending and victimization: Sources of change over time in bullying victimization risk among South Korean adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 119-129.

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