Association between child sexual abuse and adult psychopathology

Abstract EN

Objective: To test the feasibility of conducting a research on child sexual abuse, as a culturally sensitive issue, among ethnic minority groups living in the West United Kingdom.

Method: One hundred and two males out of one hundred and twenty eight males between the ages of 18-43 years in an ethnic minority group living in the UK responded to two questionnaires: a general health questionnaire and a self administered questionnaire which included questions on sexual molestation as well as other forms of abuse.

Results: Preliminary results showed that 8.8% (95% CI 3.3%-14.3%) of the whole sample experienced sexual molestation before they reached age 18 with an adult or a person who is at least five years older than them.

The results also indicated that having a sexual molestation before the age of 18 results in significant and profound mental health consequences (t= 4.83, P-value < 0.001).

Conclusion: Difficulties, alternative research options suitable for non-Western societies, future recommendations and implications for service provision are also discussed in the paper.

Moreover, the study proposed the need for family education about child sexual abuse in those communities and stressed on the need for new model of services which are culturally appropriate, responsive and able to liaise with other agencies.