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Child Sexual Abuse and Women's Sexual Health: The Contribution of CSA Severity and Exposure to Multiple Forms of Childhood Victimization

NCJ Number
241964
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 21 Issue: 5 Dated: September - October 2012 Pages: 571-592
Author(s)
Celine Lacelle; Martine Hebert; Francine Lavoie; Frank Vitaro; Richard E. Tremblay
Date Published
October 2012
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The present study examined the association between child sexual abuse and sexual health while controlling for various forms of childhood victimization.
Abstract
Research studies have provided increasing evidence for the potential adverse impact of child sexual abuse on women's sexual health. The present study examined the association between child sexual abuse and sexual health while controlling for various forms of childhood victimization. Self-report questionnaires were administered to 889 young women from the province of Quebec. Results suggest that child sexual abuse survivors were more likely to report having experienced other forms of childhood victimization than were women without child sexual abuse. Women with a history of both child sexual abuse and multiple forms of victimization were at greater risk of experiencing more adverse outcomes, including risky sexual behaviors, sexual problems, and negative sexual self-concept. Regression analyses revealed that child sexual abuse was significantly related to indicators of sexual health outcomes even when controlling for the effect of single forms of victimization. Clinically, interventions optimizing sexual health may be particularly helpful for a subgroup of child sexual abuse survivors. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.