© 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Impact of child sexual abuse on mental health
Prospective study in males and females
Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash University
Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria
Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Department of Psychology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
Correspondence: Professor Paul E. Mullen, Thomas Embling Hospital, Locked Bag 10, Fairfield, Victoria 3078, Australia. E-mail: paul.mullen{at}forensicare.vic.gov.au
Declaration of interest J.S. received an Australian Postgraduate Award. Additional funding detailed in Acknowledgements.
Background The lack of prospective studies and data on male victims leaves major questions regarding associations between child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology.
Aims To examine the association between child sexual abuse in both boys and girls and subsequent treatment for mental disorder using a prospective cohort design.
Method Children (n=1612; 1327 female) ascertained as sexually abused at the time had their histories of mental health treatment established by data linkage and compared with the general population of the same age over a specified period.
Results Both male and female victims of abuse had significantly higher rates of psychiatric treatment during the study period than general population controls (12.4% v. 3.6%). Rates were higher for childhood mental disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders and major affective disorders, but not for schizophrenia. Male victims were significantly more likely to have had treatment than females (22.8% v.10.2%).
Conclusions This prospective study demonstrates an association between child sexual abuse validated at the time and a subsequent increase in rates of childhood and adult mental disorders.
Related articles in BJP:
- Highlights of this issue
BJP 2004 184: 379-a19.[Full Text] - Peter Tyrer
BJP 2004 184: 464.[Full Text]
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  S. Weich, J. Patterson, R. Shaw, and S. Stewart-Brown Family relationships in childhood and common psychiatric disorders in later life: systematic review of prospective studies The British Journal of Psychiatry, May 1, 2009; 194(5): 392 - 398. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Conus, S. Cotton, B. G. Schimmelmann, P. D. McGorry, and M. Lambert Pretreatment and Outcome Correlates of Sexual and Physical Trauma in an Epidemiological Cohort of First-Episode Psychosis Patients Schizophr Bull, April 21, 2009; (2009) sbp009v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Fisher, C. Morgan, P. Dazzan, T. K. Craig, K. Morgan, G. Hutchinson, P. B. Jones, G. A. Doody, C. Pariante, P. McGuffin, et al. Gender differences in the association between childhood abuse and psychosis The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 1, 2009; 194(4): 319 - 325. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Pilgrim, A. Rogers, and R. Bentall The centrality of personal relationships in the creation and amelioration of mental health problems: the current interdisciplinary case Health (London) , March 1, 2009; 13(2): 235 - 254. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Itzin, S. Bailey, and A. Bentovim The effects of domestic violence and sexual abuse on mental health Psychiatr. Bull., December 1, 2008; 32(12): 448 - 450. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. van Zelst Which Environments for G x E? A User Perspective on the Roles of Trauma and Structural Discrimination in the Onset and Course of Schizophrenia Schizophr Bull, November 1, 2008; 34(6): 1106 - 1110. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Kelleher, M. Harley, F. Lynch, L. Arseneault, C. Fitzpatrick, and M. Cannon Associations between childhood trauma, bullying and psychotic symptoms among a school-based adolescent sample The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2008; 193(5): 378 - 382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Baker and P. Venan Risk management in the digital age Psychiatr. Bull., August 1, 2008; 32(8): 316 - 316. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Bendall, H. J. Jackson, C. A. Hulbert, and P. D. McGorry Childhood Trauma and Psychotic Disorders: a Systematic, Critical Review of the Evidence Schizophr Bull, May 1, 2008; 34(3): 568 - 579. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. E. Houston, J. Murphy, G. Adamson, M. Stringer, and M. Shevlin Childhood Sexual Abuse, Early Cannabis Use, and Psychosis: Testing an Interaction Model Based on the National Comorbidity Survey Schizophr Bull, May 1, 2008; 34(3): 580 - 585. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Shevlin, J. E. Houston, M. J. Dorahy, and G. Adamson Cumulative Traumas and Psychosis: an Analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey and the British Psychiatric Morbidity Survey Schizophr Bull, January 1, 2008; 34(1): 193 - 199. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Adshead and S. Ferris Treatment of victims of trauma Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., September 1, 2007; 13(5): 358 - 368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Friedman and N. N. Tin Childhood sexual abuse and the development of schizophrenia Postgrad. Med. J., August 1, 2007; 83(982): 507 - 508. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. SCOTT, D. CHANT, G. ANDREWS, G. MARTIN, and J. McGRATH Association between trauma exposure and delusional experiences in a large community-based sample The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 1, 2007; 190(4): 339 - 343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Read, P. Hammersley, and T. Rudegeair Why, when and how to ask about childhood abuse Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., March 1, 2007; 13(2): 101 - 110. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Morgan and H. Fisher Environment and Schizophrenia: Environmental Factors in Schizophrenia: Childhood Trauma--A Critical Review Schizophr Bull, January 1, 2007; 33(1): 3 - 10. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. SPAUWEN, L. KRABBENDAM, R. LIEB, H.-U. WITTCHEN, and J. VAN OS Impact of psychological trauma on the development of psychotic symptoms: relationship with psychosis proneness The British Journal of Psychiatry, June 1, 2006; 188(6): 527 - 533. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Leserman Sexual Abuse History: Prevalence, Health Effects, Mediators, and Psychological Treatment Psychosom Med, November 1, 2005; 67(6): 906 - 915. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Senior, J. Barnes, J. R. Emberson, J. Golding, and on behalf of the ALSPAC Study Team Early experiences and their relationship to maternal eating disorder symptoms, both lifetime and during pregnancy The British Journal of Psychiatry, September 1, 2005; 187(3): 268 - 273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Tyrer The British Journal of Psychiatry, September 1, 2005; 187(3): 300 - 300. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Read, P. Hammersley, and P. E. Mullen Child sexual abuse and schizophrenia * Author's reply The British Journal of Psychiatry, January 1, 2005; 186(1): 76 - 76. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Other articles noted Evid. Based Ment. Health, November 1, 2004; 7(4): 100 - 100. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 23 Apr 2004 to 23 Jul 2004 Evid. Based Nurs., October 1, 2004; 7(4): e4 - e4. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Langeland and W. van den Brink Child sexual abuse and substance use disorders: role of psychiatric comorbidity The British Journal of Psychiatry, October 1, 2004; 185(4): 353 - 353. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Other articles noted Evid. Based Med., September 1, 2004; 9(5): e5 - e5. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Childhood Abuse: Finally, a Prospective Study Journal Watch Psychiatry, August 4, 2004; 2004(804): 10 - 10. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Childhood Abuse: Finally, a Prospective Study Journal Watch Women's Health, June 22, 2004; 2004(622): 3 - 3. [Full Text]
|
|
eLetters:
Read all eLetters
- Would this qualify for a prospective study?
- Nandini Chakraborty
- BJP Online, 4 Jun 2004 [Full text]