Child sexual abuse: Problems for adult survivors

Abstract

This study surveyed 36 clients of the adult Community Mental Health services in Hull, 18 who were sexually abused as children and 18 who were not. Clinicians were asked to specify the problems which they identified their clients as experiencing. The samples were compared in their response to 38 problems thought to be indicative of a history of childhood sexual abuse. Thirteen problems were found to be more significantly associated with these survivors. The most significant were suicidal thoughts and sexual dissatisfaction. The other 25 problems were found not to be significantly associated with the group of survivors. Although some problems, such as depression and anxiety, were described by the majority of survivors, most members of the control group also experienced them. The pattern of problems is discussed and related to a literature review. Recommendations for clinical practice and future research are made.