Self-reported and agency-notified child sexual abuse in a population-based birth cohort
Date
2015
Journal Title
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Publisher
Journal of psychiatric research
Abstract
Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been associated with many adverse psychiatric outcomes. However, most studies have relied on retrospective self-report of exposure to CSA. We set out to investigate the incidence of CSA in the same birth cohort using both retrospective self-report and prospective government agency notification, and examine the psychological outcomes in young adulthood. The primary outcomes were measures of DSM-IV diagnoses (CIDI-Auto) at age 21. The 21-year retrospective CSA questions were completed by 3739 participants. CSA was self-reported by 19.3% of males and 30.6% of females. After adjustment for potential confounders, both self-reported and agency-notified CSA were associated with increased odds of lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For the first time in a birth cohort, this study has shown the disparity between the incidence of CSA when measured by self-report and government agency notification. Despite this discrepancy, adverse psychiatric outcomes are seen when CSA is defined using either method.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
child maltreatment, sexual abuse, epidemiology, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mood/anxiety disorders
Citation
Mills, R., Kisely, S., Alati, R., Strathearn, L., & Najman, J. (2015). Self-reported and agency-notified child sexual abuse in a population-based birth cohort. Journal of psychiatric research, 74, 87-93.