Dissociative Symptoms Over a Year in a Sample of Sexually Abused Children

Abstract

This study aims to document the evolution of dissociative symptoms over time in preschoolers who disclose sexual abuse. Specifically, this study explores the frequency of dissociative symptoms as a function of child gender. A follow-up evaluation was conducted 1 year after initial disclosure among a sample of 48 sexually abused children, and their results were contrasted with those of a control group composed of 71 nonabused children. Children's dissociative symptoms were evaluated by non-offending parents. Data showed that children reporting sexual abuse displayed a greater frequency of dissociative symptoms than non–sexually abused children at both evaluation times. Further analysis indicated that the evolution of dissociative symptoms in sexually abused children may be gender related. Although a decline in dissociation symptoms over time was evident for sexually abused girls at follow-up, sexually abused boys displayed greater dissociative symptoms. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for interventions for sexually abused children.

Keywords:

• dissociation
• children
• child sexual abuse
• early trauma
• child abuse

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada awarded to Martine Hébert and by doctoral scholarships awarded to Marie-Josée Bernier by the Chaire de recherche interuniversitaire Marie-Vincent sur les agressions sexuelles envers les enfants [Marie-Vincent Interuniversity Research Chair on child sexual abuse]. The authors wish to thank the parents and children who participated in this study, the members of the Clinique de pédiatrie socio-juridique CHU Ste-Justine, and the members of the Centre d'Expertise Marie-Vincent.

Notes

1. Regression analyses were also performed with (a) the age of the child added as a predictor variable, (b) parental distress and both measures of parental socioeconomic status (income, level of education) included, and finally (c) the order of entry of dissociation at Time 1 and abuse-related variables reversed. These additional analyses produced the same results as the initial regressions presented in Table 3.