Childhood sexual abuse, psychological distress, and medical use among women

Date

1999

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Psychosomatic Medicine

Abstract

Description

This study examined the relationships between reported history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), psychological distress, and medical utilization among 206 women aged 20 to 63 years in a health maintenance organization (HMO) setting. Participants were classified, using screening questionnaires and the revised Symptom Checklist 90, as 1) CSA-distressed, 2) distressed only, 3) CSA only, or 4) control participants. Medical utilization rates were generated from the computerized database of the HMO for 1) nonpsychiatric outpatient, 2) psychiatric outpatient, 3) emergency room (ER), and 4) inpatient admissions. The authors concluded that psychological distress is associated with higher outpatient medical utilization, independent of CSA history. History of CSA with concomitant psychological distress is associated with significantly higher ER visits, particularly for those with a history of physical abuse. History of CSA without distress is not associated with elevated rates of medical utilization. Screening for psychological distress, CSA, and physical abuse may help to identify distinct subgroups with unique utilization patterns.

Keywords

Abuse-sexual, Economic impact, Effects -- Adverse childhood, Effects -- Long term

Citation

DOI