The short and long-term impacts on psychopathology in childhood sexual abuse.

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing amount of research indicating that

interpersonal and psychological problems are prevalent amongst those who were sexually

abused, versus those who were not. Although it is discouraged to state that correlation leads

to causality, there have been recurring findings in many research literature that have found

that childhood sexual abuse is a major contributing factor for the development of

psychopathological problems in victims of sexual abuse. Thus, adults facing problems

related to perception and acceptance of the self, interpersonal relationships usually can be

accepted to be possible consequences of the presence of maltreatment or parental negligence

during one’s childhood. Studies have also indicated that the extent to which an individual

exhibiting distress related to the childhood sexual abuse could also be influenced by

individual differences and environmental factors that existbefore, and even after

experiencing the sexual abuse event. This article strives to summarise what are the common

short and long-term psychopathological impacts of child sexual abuse, and what are currently

being studied on the potential effects of childhood sexual abuse. Some of the various

problems and symptoms describedhere, and in many child sexual abuse literature includes:

post-traumatic stress, avoidance, emotional distress, impairment in sense of self and

interpersonal difficulties. Implications of the researches mentioned here will be reviewed, as

well as suggestions for future research work.