Impact of Sexual Abuse: Initial and Long-Term Effects (From The Sexually Abused Male: Prevalence, Impact, and Treatment, V 1, P 105-135, 1990, Mic Hunter, ed. -- See NCJ-128859)

• NCJ Number: 128863
• Author(s): A J Urquiza; M Capra
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 31 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of the research literature focuses on the initial and long-term effects of sexual victimization on boys with attention to gender-specific effects.

Abstract

Evidence indicates that the initial effects of sexual victimization on boys include detrimental effects on behavior, self-concept, psychophysiological symptomatology, and psychosexual behaviors and functioning. Two clusters of problems are prominent: disturbances of conduct (e.g., aggressiveness, delinquency, and acting out) and inappropriate sexual behaviors (e.g., confusion about sexual issues, compulsive sexual behaviors, and sexual acting out/offending). These problem effects tend to be gender specific, since boy victims are more likely than girl victims to act out their psychological dysfunction. The clinical literature cites detrimental long-term effects on sexually abused boys, including depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behaviors. Problems with interpersonal relationships, especially trust and maintaining an intimate relationship, also exist. Detrimental effects on sexual behaviors include problems with sexual adjustment, lowered sexual self-esteem, and sexual identity. Suggestions for further research and problems with the existing literature are discussed. 116 references