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ABSTRACT
Sexual abuse is associated with a host of negative repercussions in adolescence. Yet the possible mechanisms linking sexual abuse and negative outcomes are understudied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among self-blame, shame, coping strategies, posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. The sample included 147 sexually abused adolescent girls between 14 and 18 years of age. A total of 66% of girls reached clinical score for posttraumatic stress disorder, and 53% reached clinical score for depressive symptoms. Close to half (46%) reported suicidal thoughts in the past 3 months. Shame was found to partially mediate the relationship between self-blame and posttraumatic stress disorder. Shame and depressive symptoms were also found to partially mediate the relationship between self-blame and suicidal ideation. Results suggest that shame is a crucial target in interventions designed for sexually abused adolescent girls.
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Notes on contributors
Stéphanie Alix
Stéphanie Alix, BS, is a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Her research interests concern the factors influencing the impact of sexual abuse in adolescent girls.
Louise Cossette
Louise Cossette, PhD, is professor in the Department of Psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal. Her research interests concern gender and emotional development.
Martine Hébert
Martine Hébert, PhD (psychology), is the Canada Research Chair in Interpersonal Traumas and Resilience. She is full professor in the Department of Sexology at Université du Québec à Montréal and director of the Research Team Équipe violence et santé (ÉVISSA: Research Team on Sexual Violence and Health).
Mireille Cyr
Mireille Cyr, PhD, is full professor at Université de Montréal, Québec, and director of the Centre de recherche sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS: Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse).
Jean-Yves Frappier
Jean-Yves Frappier, MD, FRCPC, MSC, is professor and director at the Pediatric Department of the Université de Montréal and Centre hospitalier universitaire Ste-Justine in Montréal.