Sexual abuse and lifetime diagnosis of psychiatric disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Date

2010

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Abstract

Description

The objective of this study was to assess the evidence for an association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. The authors performed a comprehensive search of nine databases from 1980-2008, limited to epidemiological studies. The search yielded 37 eligible studies, with 3,162,318 participants. There was a statistically significant association between sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, and suicide attempts. Associations persisted regardless of the victim s sex or the age at which abuse occurred. There was no statistically significant association between sexual abuse and a diagnosis of schizophrenia or somatoform disorders. No longitudinal studies that assessed bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder were found. Associations between sexual abuse and depression, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder were strengthened by a history of rape. Based on their review and meta-analysis, the authors concluded that a history of sexual abuse is associated with an increased risk of a lifetime diagnosis of multiple psychiatric disorders.

Keywords

Abuse-sexual, Effects -- Long term, Effects -- Psychological, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Rape -- child, Traumatic stress -- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Citation

DOI