2013-09-192013-09-192010http://hdl.handle.net/11212/1059http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894717/pdf/mayoclinproc_85_7_003.pdfThe 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.pdfAbuse-sexualEffects -- Long termEffects -- PsychologicalPost traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Rape -- childTraumatic stress -- Post Traumatic Stress DisorderText