OBJECTIVE: To assess change in behavior, depression, and self-esteem in sexually abused children after 5 years and to determine which factors predict later functioning. METHOD: Sixty-eight of 84 children and their nonoffending parents were reassessed after 5 years for depression, self-esteem, and behavior problems in the children; parental mental health; and family functioning. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in depression, self-esteem, or behavior over 5 years. Forty-three percent of the children were now sad or depressed, 43% had low self-esteem, and 46% had behavioral dysfunction. While some children improved, a nearly equal number deteriorated, with no clear pattern of change. The only abuse-related variables associated with 5-year functioning were further contact with the abuser, which was significantly associated with depression and self-esteem, and sexual abuse prior to intake, which was related to an increased incidence of behavior problems. Older children showed more depression and lower self-esteem but less behavioral dysfunction. Poor family functioning at 5 years was associated with low self-esteem and behavior problems. Treatment had no effect on depression, self-esteem, or behavior. Multivariate analysis showed that depression and self-esteem at intake were prognostic indicators of 5-year outcome. CONCLUSION: Many sexually abused children have continuing problems with behavior, self-esteem, and depression. Family and abuse-related variables do not appear to be good predictors of outcome, although sexually abused children who are sad or depressed and have low self-esteem at intake are likely to have continuing problems in these areas.
OBJECTIVE: To assess change in behavior, depression, and self-esteem in sexually abused children after 5 years and to determine which factors predict later functioning. METHOD: Sixty-eight of 84 children and their nonoffending parents were reassessed after 5 years for depression, self-esteem, and behavior problems in the children; parental mental health; and family functioning. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in depression, self-esteem, or behavior over 5 years. Forty-three percent of the children were now sad or depressed, 43% had low self-esteem, and 46% had behavioral dysfunction. While some children improved, a nearly equal number deteriorated, with no clear pattern of change. The only abuse-related variables associated with 5-year functioning were further contact with the abuser, which was significantly associated with depression and self-esteem, and sexual abuse prior to intake, which was related to an increased incidence of behavior problems. Older children showed more depression and lower self-esteem but less behavioral dysfunction. Poor family functioning at 5 years was associated with low self-esteem and behavior problems. Treatment had no effect on depression, self-esteem, or behavior. Multivariate analysis showed that depression and self-esteem at intake were prognostic indicators of 5-year outcome. CONCLUSION: Many sexually abused children have continuing problems with behavior, self-esteem, and depression. Family and abuse-related variables do not appear to be good predictors of outcome, although sexually abused children who are sad or depressed and have low self-esteem at intake are likely to have continuing problems in these areas.
Authors: Geraldine Macdonald; Julian P T Higgins; Paul Ramchandani; Jeffrey C Valentine; Latricia P Bronger; Paul Klein; Roland O'Daniel; Mark Pickering; Ben Rademaker; George Richardson; Matthew Taylor Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2012-05-16
Authors: Paul D Carey; Jennifer L Walker; Wendy Rossouw; Soraya Seedat; Dan J Stein Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2007-09-17 Impact factor: 4.785