NCJ Number
210594
Journal
Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 25-47
Date Published
2005
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined the influence of disclosing childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on adolescent survivors' symptomology and the presence of additional unwanted sexual experiences in a subsample of 111 adolescents who reported CSA in the 1995 National Survey of Adolescents (NSA).
Abstract
The subsample in this study reported only "unwanted" sexual experiences and only contact sexual experiences. Variables were developed from the NSA to represent characteristics of the sexual abuse, aspects of disclosure, and two outcomes: the number of symptoms reported in the past year and the presence or absence of additional sexual victimization after the first incident. The NSA contained a number of modules that assessed the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and substance dependence disorder, as well as the commission of a variety of delinquent acts. Among the characteristics of the abuse, the presence of penetration and of fear were associated with the number of current adverse symptoms. The presence of penetration had an even stronger relationship to revictimization. Among the disclosure variables, the presence of delayed disclosure was associated with an increased number of adverse symptoms. Delaying disclosure was associated with having two or more symptoms at assessment; whereas, prompt disclosure was associated with having no symptoms. Youths who delayed disclosing but ultimately told an adult were at a higher risk of being revictimized. Prompt disclosure to an adult was associated with less chance of being revictimized. Telling an adult appeared to be most helpful when it occurred within 30 days of the sexual abuse. 5 tables and 58 references