Response to reports of childhood sexual abuse is pivotal to the development of psychiatric disorders

By Joe Kuttenkuler

RICHMOND, Va. – A team of Virginia Commonwealth University researchers has found that the response a child receives when reporting childhood sexual abuse impacts how likely the child is to later develop psychiatric or substance abuse disorder. A supportive response and effective action can reduce the risk for development of psychiatric disorders.

The study, published in the November issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, surveyed 412 adult female victims of childhood sexual abuse, including victims of sexual requests, fondling and intercourse prior to age 16.

"A positive response that brings an end to an abusive situation is important because the victim will feel they had some degree of control over their environment during a seemingly uncontrollable time," said Cynthia Bulik, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry in VCU’s School of Medicine based at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics. She was lead author of the study.

"We’ve known for several years that there is a connection between childhood sexual abuse and development of psychiatric disorders," said Bulik. "These new findings specifically identify which characteristics of a sexually abusive situation put victims at greater risk and which actions reduced risk."

The majority of women who indicated they had received a supportive response which ultimately led to an end to the abuse experienced fewer or less severe psychiatric or substance abuse disorders.

Conversely, the data showed that a negative response from someone who was told about the abuse increased the risk for developing major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bulimia nervosa, panic disorder and alcohol and drug dependence.

Factors such as whether intercourse was attempted or completed, if the perpetrator was a family member and use of force or threats also contributed to increased risk.

"Any report of childhood sexual abuse should be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly," said Bulik. "Stopping the abuse is one key to decreasing long-term negative effects."

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates 80,000 incidents of childhood sexual abuse are reported each year, and a greater number go unreported.

The VCU study is the second report from VIPBG examining the connection between CSA and psychiatric or substance abuse disorders. Study participants are part of the Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry, which includes individuals born or living in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina.