Family Environment and Child-To-Parent Violence: The Role of Emotional Insecurity.

Child-to-parent violence (CPV) constitutes a serious social problem due to its short and long-term consequences, which not only directly affect the victim but also generate a rupture of the family system. In this study, direct and indirect effects of exposition to violence within the family, insecurity in the family system (manifested as disengagement and/or preoccupation), and justification of violence on CPV toward mothers and fathers were analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM). Davies and Cummings emotional security theory (1994) was applied. A total of 904 high school students between 13 and 20 years old participated in this study. Information regarding each participant's committed CPV was obtained from the Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire. Emotional insecurity was assessed with the Security in the Family System scale. To assess exposition to violence and justification of violence, the Exposure to Violence Questionnaire and Irrational Beliefs Inventory for Adolescents were applied, respectively. Strong relationships between exposition to violence within the family, emotional insecurity, justification of violence, and CPV toward mothers and fathers were observed. The results show that adolescents who are exposed to violence at home are more aggressive in the future. In addition, this relationship is mediated, at least in part, by the justification of violence and emotional insecurity. These results suggest that prevention and treatment of CPV aggressors should focus on improving security within the survivors' family system as well as modifying attitudes toward violence.

Exploring the Mediating Effect of Psychological Engagement on the Relationship between Child-to-Parent Violence and Violent Video Games.

Research into the effects of violent video games on levels of aggression has raised concerns that they may pose a significant social risk, especially among younger people. The objective of this study was to analyze, through structural equation models, the mediating role of psychological engagement in the relationship between the consumption of violent video games and child-to-parent violence (CPV) against the mother and the father. The sample consisted of 916 students from the third and fourth grades of compulsory secondary education, first and second grades of high school, and first cycle of vocational training (483 males and 433 females), of whom a total of 628 were video game players, aged between 13 and 19. The exposure to video games was assessed through an author-elaborated questionnaire, engagement was evaluated with the game engagement questionnaire, and CPV was assessed through the child-to-parent aggression questionnaire. The structural equation models indicated that exposure to violent video games was related to lower rates of CPV against both parents. Conversely, the flow (a sense of being in control, being one with activity, and experiencing distortions in the perception of time) dimension of engagement positively correlated with the level of CPV against the mother, whereas the flow and absorption (total engagement in the current experience) dimensions correlated with CPV against the father. In conclusion, the results confirm the role of violent video game consumption, reducing CPV rates against both parents, a role that is offset to the extent that these violent games provoke engagement in the user.

Child Sexual Abuse and Suicidal Ideation: The Differential Role of Attachment and Emotional Security in the Family System.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of attachment style and emotional security in the family system on suicidal ideation in a sample of young adult female victims of child sexual abuse (CSA). The possible effects of CSA characteristics and other types of child abuse on suicidal ideation were controlled for. The sample consisted of 188 female college students who had been victims of sexual abuse before the age of 18, as well as 188 randomly selected participants who had not experienced CSA. The results showed that both attachment and emotional security were associated with suicidal ideation, even when controlling for both the characteristics of abuse and the existence of other abuses. The strong relationships of emotional security and attachment style with suicidal ideation suggest the importance of early intervention with children who have been sexually abused and their families, in an effort to optimize their attachment style, as well as to decrease emotional insecurity to prevent the onset of symptomatology related to suicidal ideation.

Pathways from childhood sexual abuse to trait anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Children exposed to sexual abuse are at risk for developing several psychological and behavioral difficulties during adulthood. Here, direct and indirect effects of family conflict, insecurity within the family system (manifested as disengagement and/or preoccupation), and negative feelings provoked by childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on trait anxiety scores were analyzed with structural equation modeling. Both Finkelhor and Browne's traumagenic dynamics model and Davies and Cummings Emotional Security Theory were applied. METHODS: A total of 168 female college student survivors of CSA participated in this study. Information regarding each participant's abuse was obtained from a self-reported questionnaires. Emotional security was assessed with the Security in the Family System scale. To assess negative feelings regarding abuse and trait anxiety, Children's Impact of Traumatic Events Scale-Revised and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were applied, respectively. RESULTS: Level of family conflict was found to directly relate to emotional insecurity and trait anxiety. In addition, preoccupation strategies were found to be directly related to trait anxiety. Conversely, disengagement strategies were indirectly related to anxiety through the negative feelings provoked by abuse. Experience with other types of abuse and/or neglect was also related to emotional insecurity and feelings provoked by CSA. Meanwhile, continuity of abuse only correlated with feelings provoked by abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Strong relationships between family conflict, emotional insecurity, negative feelings provoked by CSA and trait anxiety were observed. These results suggest that treatment of CSA survivors should focus on improving security within the survivors' family system and reducing negative feelings provoked by abuse.

Influence of psychopathology on the perpetration of child-to-parent violence: differences as a function of sex / Influencia de la psicopatología en la comisión de violencia filio-parental: diferencias en función del sexo

The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of the psychopathologic symptomatology of participants on the perpetration of child-to-parent violence (CPV), as well as to test the moderator role of the participant sex on the psychopathology. The sample comprised 855 students from middle school, high school and vocational education (399 boys and 456 girls). Age range varies among 13- 21 years old (M = 16.09; DT = 1.34), being 307 (35.9%) among 13-15, 501 (58.6%) 16-18 and 47 (5.5%) 19-21. Most of them (91%) had Spanish citizenship. Psychopathology was assessed with the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised, whereas CPV perpetration was assessed employing the Child-toParent Aggression Questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the most important psychopathologic symptoms were hostility, paranoid ideation and depression, being related higher scores on hostility and paranoid ideation, and lower on depression, with the perpetration of CPV. Interaction analyses showed a moderator role of the participant sex with the interpersonal sensitivity and obsessive-compulsive in the case of CPV to the father, and interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive-compulsive and paranoid ideation in the case of CPV to the mother. Results confirm the idea that the existence of psychopathologic symptomatology by the minors has an effect on the probability of perpetration CPV, being this effect different depending on the sex of the perpetrator

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el papel de la sintomatología psicopatológica de los participantes sobre la comisión de violencia filio-parental, así como comprobar el rol moderador del sexo del participante sobre dicha sintomatología. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 855 estudiantes de 3º y 4º de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, 1º y 2º de Bachillerato y Formación Profesional (399 chicos y 456 chicas). Sus edades estaban comprendidas entre los 13 y 21 años (M = 16.09; DT = 1.34), teniendo 307 (35.9%) de ellos entre 13 y 15 años, 501 (58.6%) entre 16 y 18, y 47 (5.5%) entre 19 y 21. La gran mayoría (91%) tenían nacionalidad española. La existencia de psicopatología se evaluó mediante la escala Symptom-Checklist-90-Revised, mientras que la comisión de la VFP se evaluó mediante el Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire. Los análisis de regresión lineal múltiple jerárquica indicaron que los principales síntomas psicopatológicos en la comisión de VFP son la hostilidad, ideación paranoide y depresión, estando relacionadas puntuaciones superiores en hostilidad e ideación paranoide, e inferiores en depresión con la comisión de VFP. El análisis de interacciones mostró un papel moderador del sexo del participante con la sensitividad interpersonal y las obsesiones, en el caso de la VFP hacia el padre, y sensitividad interpersonal, obsesiones e ideación paranoide en el caso de la VFP hacia la madre. Los resultados confirman la idea de que la existencia de una sintomatología psicopatológica por parte de los menores tiene un efecto sobre la probabilidad de comisión de la VFP, siendo este efecto diferente en función del sexo de la persona agresora

Impulsiveness and Child-to-Parent Violence: The Role of Aggressor's Sex.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of minors' impulsiveness in the perpetration of child-to-parent violence (CPV), controlling for sex, age, interest allocated to studies, and participant´s and parent´s drug consumption habits, as well as to test the moderating role of the aggressor's sex on impulsiveness. The sample comprised 934 students from high school centers (438 boys and 496 girls), aged between 13 and 21 years. Impulsiveness was assessed through the Barratt's Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), whereas CPV perpetration was assessed employing the Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that both attentional (ß = .09, p < .05; ß = .12, p < .001) and motor impulsiveness (ß = .26, p < .001; ß = .25, p < .001) were related to the perpetration of CPV. Interaction analyses showed a moderating role of the aggressor's sex over motor impulsiveness in the case of CPV towards the father (ß = .29, p < .05), and over attentional impulsiveness in the case of CPV towards the mother (ß = .45, p < .001). Results confirm the idea that minors' impulsiveness has an effect on the probability of CPV perpetration, which differs according to the sex of the perpetrator.

Impulsiveness and child-to-parent violence: the role of aggressor’s sex

The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of minors’ impulsiveness in the perpetration of child-toparent violence (CPV), controlling for sex, age, interest allocated to studies, and participant´s and parent´s drug consumption habits, as well as to test the moderating role of the aggressor’s sex on impulsiveness. The sample comprised 934 students from high school centers (438 boys and 496 girls), aged between 13 and 21 years. Impulsiveness was assessed through the Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), whereas CPV perpetration was assessed employing the Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that both attentional (β = .09, p < .05; β = .12, p < .001) and motor impulsiveness (β = .26, p < .001; β = .25, p < .001) were related to the perpetration of CPV. Interaction analyses showed a moderating role of the aggressor’s sex over motor impulsiveness in the case of CPV towards the father (β = .29, p < .05), and over attentional impulsiveness in the case of CPV towards the mother (β = .45, p < .001). Results confirm the idea that minors’ impulsiveness has an effect on the probability of CPV perpetration, which differs according to the sex of the perpetrator (AU)

No disponible

Emotional security in the family system and psychological distress in female survivors of child sexual abuse.

The Emotional Security Theory (EST) was originally developed to investigate the association between high levels of interparental conflict and child maladaptative outcome. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of emotional security in the family system on psychological distress among a sample of young female adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA). The role of emotional security was investigated through the interactive effects of a number of factors including the type of abuse, the continuity of abuse, the relationship with the perpetrator and the existence of disclosure for the abuse. Participants were 167 female survivors of CSA. Information about the abuse was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. Emotional security was assessed with the Security in the Family System (SIFS) Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) was used to assess psychological distress. In the total sample, insecurity (preoccupation and disengagement) was correlated with high psychological distress scores, whereas no relationship was found between security and psychological distress. The relationship between emotional insecurity and psychological distress was stronger in cases of continued abuse and non-disclosure, while the relationship between emotional security and distress was stronger in cases of extrafamilial abuse and especially isolated or several incidents and when a disclosure had been made. No interactive effect was found between any of the three emotional variables and the type of abuse committed. The results of the current study suggest that characteristics of CSA such as relationship with the perpetrator and, especially, continuity of abuse and whether or not disclosure had been made, can affect the impact of emotional security on psychological distress of CSA survivors.

Consecuencias del abuso sexual infantil: una revisión de las variables intervinientes / Child sexual abuse consequences: a review of intervening variables

En las últimas décadas el abuso sexual infantil (ASI) ha suscitado un gran interés, tanto entre la comunidad científica, como en la sociedad en general, debido a su prevalencia y consecuencias a corto y a largo plazo. Aunque la mayoría de los estudios que han examinado las secuelas del ASI enumeran numerosas dificultades psicológicas, sociales, conductuales y físicas, ciertamente no todas las víctimas de abuso infantil muestran un daño significativo posterior, existiendo una amplia variabilidad en el ajuste de las víctimas. Ante esta diversidad el presente trabajo, tras realizar una revisión de las consecuencias a corto y largo plazo del ASI, pretende discernir cuales son las principales variables que determinan los efectos del abuso sobre la víctimas. Las características del abuso, víctima y agresor, los factores situacionales y, especialmente, las variables cognitivas de la víctima se han demostrado como eficaces para explicar la gravedad de la sintomatología. Concretamente, las investigaciones realizadas en los últimos años han encontrado que la sustitución de estrategias de afrontamiento de evitación por estrategias de aproximación, la eliminación de las atribuciones de autoinculpación e inculpación a la familia y de los sentimientos relacionados con las cuatro dinámicas traumatogénicas y la promoción de un estilo de apego seguro resultarían beneficiosos a la hora de prevenir futuros problemas causados por la experiencia de abuso

Over the last few decade child sexual abuse (CSA) have provoked a great deal of interest, both among the scientific community and the society, due to its prevalence and short and long term consequences. Although most of the studies examining CSA sequelae list numerous psychological, social, behavioral and physical difficulties, certainly not every child abuse survivor shows a significant harm thereafter, existing a great variability on the survivor´s adjustment. In light of this diversity the present work, after review the short and long term consequences of CSA, attempt to discern which are the main variables that determine the effects of the abuse on the survivors. Characteristics of the abuse, survivor and perpetrator, situational factors and, specially, survivor´s cognitive variables have been proved as efficient in order to explain the symptomatology severity. Specifically, studies have found that replacing avoidance coping strategies by approaching ones, eliminating self-blame and family blame attributions and the four traumagenic dynamics feelings, as well as promoting a secure attachment style would have a positive impact in order to prevent future problems caused by the experience of abuse

Child sexual abuse, attachment style, and depression: the role of the characteristics of abuse.

The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of secure, avoidant, and anxious attachment styles on depressive symptomatology in child sexual abuse (CSA) among young female adult victims. The role of attachment style was studied by considering possible interactive effects with the type of abuse, the relationship with the perpetrator, and the continuity of abuse. Participants were 168 female victims of CSA. Information about the abuse was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. Attachment style was assessed with the Attachment Style Measure (ASM), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Secure and anxious attachment styles were correlated with low and high depression scores respectively. The effects of attachment style were stronger in cases where the abuse consisted of oral sex/penetration, a non-family member as perpetrator, and in isolated, compared with continued, abuse. These results confirm that characteristics of CSA (type of abuse, relationship with the perpetrator, and continuity of abuse) can affect the impact of attachment style on depressive symptomatology.

Variables associated with the nature of sexual abuse to minors.

This study analyzes the prevalence and characteristics of childhood and adolescence sexual abuse suffered by a sample of university students, as well as the variables associated with the nature of abuse. Participants anonymously completed the Questionnaire on Child Sexual Abuse, in order to obtain information about experience of sexual abuse. Of a total of 2,375 students, 289 (12.2%) declared having suffered sexual abuse before the age of 18. The invasiveness, continuity, and severity of abuse was related to the location where the abuse took place (the more severe cases were committed in the homes of the victim and perpetrator) and to the circumstances of abuse (relationships with partners/at a party or while caring for a child predicted more severe abuse). The age of the victim (preschool) and an intrafamilial relationship between victim and perpetrator were also related to more invasive, continuous, and severe sexual abuse. The knowledge of characteristics of perpetrator and victim and the context in which sexual abuse occurs can help to better comprehend the nature and correlates of sexual abuse. The results of the present study may contribute to the design of programs for the prevention of sexual abuse to minors.

Variables associated with the nature of sexual abuse to minors

This study analyzes the prevalence and characteristics of childhood and adolescence sexual abuse suffered by a sample of university students, as well as the variables associated with the nature of abuse. Participants anonymously completed the Questionnaire on Child Sexual Abuse, in order to obtain information about experience of sexual abuse. Of a total of 2,375 students, 289 (12.2%) declared having suffered sexual abuse before the age of 18. The invasiveness, continuity, and severity of abuse was related to the location where the abuse took place (the more severe cases were committed in the homes of the victim and perpetrator) and to the circumstances of abuse (relationships with partners/at a party or while caring for a child predicted more severe abuse). The age of the victim (preschool) and an intrafamilial relationship between victim and perpetrator were also related to more invasive, continuous, and severe sexual abuse. The knowledge of characteristics of perpetrator and victim and the context in which sexual abuse occurs can help to better comprehend the nature and correlates of sexual abuse. The results of the present study may contribute to the design of programs for the prevention of sexual abuse to minors (AU)

El estudio analiza la prevalencia y características del abuso sexual infantil y adolescente en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios, así como las variables relacionadas con la naturaleza del abuso. Los participantes contestaron de forma anónima al Cuestionario sobre Abuso Sexual Infantil para obtener información sobre la experiencia de abuso sexual. De un total de 2.375 estudiantes, 289 (12,2%) manifestaron haber sufrido abuso sexual antes de los 18 años. La invasividad, continuidad y gravedad del abuso se relacionaban con el lugar donde se había producido (los casos más graves fueron los cometidos tanto en el hogar de la víctima como del perpetrador) y con las circunstancias del abuso (relaciones con parejas/en una fiesta o mientras se cuida el niño predecían los abusos más graves). La edad de la víctima (preescolar) y la relación intrafamiliar entre víctima y perpetrador también se relacionaban con un abuso sexual más invasivo, continuado y grave. El conocimiento de las características del perpetrador y de la víctima y el contexto en el que ocurre el abuso sexual pueden ayudar a comprender mejor la naturaleza y los correlatos del abuso sexual. Los resultados de esta investigación pueden contribuir al diseño de programas para la prevención del abuso sexual a menores (AU)

The interactive effect of blame attribution with characteristics of child sexual abuse on posttraumatic stress disorder.

The present study examined the role of attributions of blame for child sexual abuse (CSA) in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The interactive effects of attribution of blame with characteristics of abuse on PTSD were studied. A sample of 151 female victims of CSA participated in the study. Self-blame and family blame were related to higher PTSD scores, whereas perpetrator blame was not related to PTSD. The strength of the relationship between blame and PTSD score was higher in cases of more severe, isolated, and extrafamilial abuse. The findings suggest that diminishing self-blame attributions may be particularly advantageous in cases of isolated and extrafamilial CSA, whereas diminishing family blame would be more advantageous in cases of severe abuse.

Consecuencias a largo plazo del abuso sexual infantil: papel de la naturaleza y continuidad del abuso y del ambiente familiar / Long term consequences of child sexual abuse: the role of the nature and continuity of abuse and family environment

El estudio analiza la contribución de la naturaleza y continuidad de los abusos sexuales, así como del contexto familiar, a la variabilidad en la adaptación psicológica de las víctimas. Participaron 209 estudiantes universitarias víctimas de abusos sexuales en la infancia (ASI) y un grupo de comparación, que completaron durante dos sesiones el “Cuestionario sobre abuso sexual infantil”, la “Escala de clima social de la familia”, el “Cuestionario de ansiedad estado-rasgo” y la “Escala de autoestima de Rosenberg”. Los resultados de los análisis de regresión demostraron que el tipo de abuso sexual, pero no su continuidad, predecía significativamente el ajuste psicológico de las universitarias supervivientes de ASI. Asimismo, tres variables del ambiente familiar (expresividad, orientación al logro y orientación social recreativa) se asociaban con una mejor adaptación. La expresión de sentimientos positivos fue la única variable familiar que se relacionaba con las tres medidas de la adaptación psicológica, y la que tenía una mayor influencia en la variabilidad de cada una de ellas. Finalmente, la combinación de las variables familiares predecía mejor que la naturaleza del ASI el ajuste de las víctimas, especialmente en el caso de la autoestima (AU)

This study analyzes the contribution of the nature and continuity of sexual abuse and the variables related to the family environment to the variability on the psychological adjustment of the survivors. The participants, 209 female college student survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA), and a comparison group, completed during two sessions the Child Sexual Abuse Questionnaire, the Family Environment Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Results of the regression analyses showed that the type of sexual abuse, but not its continuity, significantly predicted the present psychological adjustment of the college student CSA survivors. Moreover, the variables of the family environment (expressiveness, achievement orientation and social-recreational orientation) were related to a better adjustment. Expressiveness of positive feelings was the only family variable that predicted the three measures of psychological adjustment, having also a stronger predictive power than the two other variables. Finally, the combination of family variables predicted the survivor’s adjustment better than the nature of CSA, especially in the case of self-esteem

Naturaleza de los abusos sexuales a menores y consecuencias en la salud mental de las víctimas / Characteristics of sexual abuse of minors and its consequences on victims’ mental health

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia, la naturaleza y las consecuencias de los abusos sexuales sufridos durante la infancia o la adolescencia. Métodos: 2.159 estudiantes de la Universidad de Granada respondieron voluntariamente y de forma anónima a un cuestionario sobre abuso sexual. Establecido el grupo de víctimas, se formó otro de comparación con estudiantes sin antecedentes de abusos. En una segunda sesión se evaluó la salud mentald e ambos grupos. Resultados: 269 (12,5%) estudiantes manifestaron haber sufrido abusos sexuales antes de los 18 años de edad. El 62,8% de los abusos consistió en tocamientos y la edad media de inicio fue a los 8,8 años. Los perpetradores, mayoritariamente varones y un 44% menores de edad, solían cometer los abusos en el hogar de la víctima o en el suyo, aprovechándose de las visitas o de su estrecha vinculación. Alrededor del 50% se sirvió del engaño o del juego. En cuanto a la salud mental de las víctimas, las universitarias con antecedentes de abusos sexuales tenían menor autoestima y asertividad, y puntuaciones más altas enactitud vital negativa, depresión y ansiedad, que las del grupo de comparación. Las víctimas varones, sinembargo, sólo diferían de los universitarios sin antecedentes de abusos en su mayor nivel de ansiedad. Conclusiones: Los resultados demuestran la gravedad del problema de los abusos sexuales a menores y sus consecuencias, así como las circunstancias en que se producen y el perfil de los agresores y de las víctimas; unos resultados relevantes para la planificación de programas de detección y prevención de los abusos (AU)

Objective: To analyze the prevalence, nature and consequences of sexual abuse during childhood oradolescence. Methods: A total of 2,159 college students from the University of Granada anonymously completed aquestionnaire on sexual abuse. A group of sexual abuse survivors was established and a comparison group without a history of abuse was selected. In a second session, the socio-affective adjustment of bothgroups was assessed. Results: Sexual abuse before the age of 18 was reported by 269 (12.5%) students. In 62.8%, the abuse consisted of the perpetrator touching the victim and/or the victim touching the perpetrator. The averageage at which the sexual abuse started was 8.8 years old. The vast majority of perpetrators were males and 44% were under-age minors. The perpetrators usually committed the sexual abuse in the victim’s homeor in their own homes, taking advantage of visits and/or close relationships. Almost half the perpetrators made use of deception or games. Female college students with a history of sexual abuse had lower selfesteem,were less assertive, had a more negative attitude toward life, and higher depression and anxietyscores than women in the comparison group. Male survivors, however, differed from non-survivors onlyin having higher anxiety levels. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the severity of the problem of sexual abuse of minors and its consequences, the circumstances in which this abuse occurs, and the profiles of perpetrators and victims.These results are relevant for the planning of abuse detection and prevention programs (AU)

Un modelo de los efectos del abuso sexual infantil sobre el estrés post-traumático: el rol mediador de las atribuciones de culpa y afrontamiento de evitación / A model of the effects of child sexual abuse on post-traumatic stress: The mediating role of attributions of blame and avoidance coping

Mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales se analizan los efectos directos e indirectos de la gravedad del Abuso Sexual Infantil (ASI), las atribuciones de culpa por el abuso y las estrategias de afrontamiento sobre la sintomatología del Trastorno de Estrés Post-traumático (TEP). Se controlaron además los efectos de otros maltratos sufridos durante la infancia. La muestra estaba compuesta por 163 estudiantes universitarias víctimas de ASI. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que las víctimas de abusos más graves presentan niveles superiores de autoinculpación, inculpación a la familia y empleo de estrategias de evitación. El haber sufrido otro tipo de maltrato se encontraba también relacionado con niveles superiores de inculpación a la familia. Por último, las dos atribuciones de culpa se encontraban indirectamente relacionadas con el TEP a través del afrontamiento de evitación. Las fuertes relaciones halladas entre las atribuciones de culpa, estrategias de afrontamiento y TEP sugieren que sería útil la intervención temprana con víctimas de ASI en un esfuerzo por modificar las atribuciones que realizan acerca del abuso y el modo en que lo afrontan (AU)

Employing structural equation modeling, the direct and indirect effects of the severity of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), attributions of blame for the abuse, and coping strategies on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology are analyzed. The effects of other types of child maltreatment on PTSD were also controlled. The sample comprised 163 female college students who were victims of CSA. The results suggested that victims of more severe abuse showed higher levels of avoidant coping, self blame, and family blame. Having suffered other kinds of abuse or neglect was also related to higher family blame attributions. Lastly, both attributions of blame scales were indirectly related to PTSD symptomatology through avoidant coping. The strong relationships between attributions of blame, coping strategies, and PTSD suggest that it might be useful to intervene early with children who have suffered CSA in an effort to modify the attributions they make about the abuse and the way they cope with it (AU)

[Characteristics of sexual abuse of minors and its consequences on victims' mental health]. / Naturaleza de los abusos sexuales a menores y consecuencias en la salud mental de las víctimas.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence, nature and consequences of sexual abuse during childhood or adolescence. METHODS: A total of 2,159 college students from the University of Granada anonymously completed a questionnaire on sexual abuse. A group of sexual abuse survivors was established and a comparison group without a history of abuse was selected. In a second session, the socio-affective adjustment of both groups was assessed. RESULTS: Sexual abuse before the age of 18 was reported by 269 (12.5%) students. In 62.8%, the abuse consisted of the perpetrator touching the victim and/or the victim touching the perpetrator. The average age at which the sexual abuse started was 8.8 years old. The vast majority of perpetrators were males and 44% were under-age minors. The perpetrators usually committed the sexual abuse in the victim's home or in their own homes, taking advantage of visits and/or close relationships. Almost half the perpetrators made use of deception or games. Female college students with a history of sexual abuse had lower self-esteem, were less assertive, had a more negative attitude toward life, and higher depression and anxiety scores than women in the comparison group. Male survivors, however, differed from non-survivors only in having higher anxiety levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the severity of the problem of sexual abuse of minors and its consequences, the circumstances in which this abuse occurs, and the profiles of perpetrators and victims. These results are relevant for the planning of abuse detection and prevention programs.

[A model of the effects of child sexual abuse on post-traumatic stress: the mediating role of attributions of blame and avoidance coping]. / Un modelo de los efectos del abuso sexual infantil sobre el estrés post-traumático: el rol mediador de las atribuciones de culpa y afrontamiento de evitación.

Employing structural equation modeling, the direct and indirect effects of the severity of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), attributions of blame for the abuse, and coping strategies on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology are analyzed. The effects of other types of child maltreatment on PTSD were also controlled. The sample comprised 163 female college students who were victims of CSA. The results suggested that victims of more severe abuse showed higher levels of avoidant coping, self blame, and family blame. Having suffered other kinds of abuse or neglect was also related to higher family blame attributions. Lastly, both attributions of blame scales were indirectly related to PTSD symptomatology through avoidant coping. The strong relationships between attributions of blame, coping strategies, and PTSD suggest that it might be useful to intervene early with children who have suffered CSA in an effort to modify the attributions they make about the abuse and the way they cope with it.

The effects of perpetrator age and abuse disclosure on the relationship between feelings provoked by child sexual abuse and posttraumatic stress.

The present study examined the relationship between feelings provoked by child sexual abuse (CSA) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom scores in a sample of 163 female survivors of CSA. Finkelhor and Browne's traumagenic dynamics model was applied. The interactive effects of provoked feelings with perpetrator age and the existence of abuse disclosure were also studied. Results showed an overall relationship between feelings provoked by CSA and PTSD symptom scores. Feelings of stigma, betrayal, and powerlessness as a result of CSA were associated with PTSD symptom score when the entire group of CSA victims was analyzed. The role of traumatic sexualization was relevant only when analyzed in interaction with the age of the perpetrator and disclosure. The relationship between traumatic sexualization and PTSD symptom scores was only significant when the abuse was committed by an adult perpetrator and when a disclosure was made during the time of abuse, or a short time after the abuse had occurred.

Coping with child sexual abuse among college students and post-traumatic stress disorder: the role of continuity of abuse and relationship with the perpetrator.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) on the use of coping strategies and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores in young adults, as well as the role of avoidance and approach coping strategies in those PTSD scores in CSA victims. The role of coping strategies was studied by considering their possible interactive effect with the continuity of abuse and the relationship with the perpetrator; the effect of coping strategies on PTSD was also compared between CSA victim and non-CSA victim participants. METHOD: The sample was comprised of 138 victims of CSA and another 138 participants selected as a comparison group. Data about child sexual abuse were obtained from a questionnaire developed for this purpose. Coping strategies were assessed with the How I Deal with Things Scale (Burt & Katz, 1987), while PTSD scores were assessed with the "Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático" (Severity of Symptoms of PTSD Scale; Echeburúa et al., 1997). RESULTS: Participants who had been victims of CSA showed significantly higher PTSD scores and lower approach coping strategies scores. However, differences in avoidance coping strategies between groups were not consistent and did not always follow the expected direction. Only the use of avoidance coping strategies was related to PTSD, participants who used these showing higher scores. The effects of avoidance strategies were stronger in continued than in isolated abuse, in intrafamilial than in extrafamilial abuse and in CSA victims than in non-victims. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the idea of CSA as a high-risk experience that can affect the victim's coping strategies and lead to PTSD to a lesser or greater extent depending on the coping strategy used. Moreover, the role of these strategies varies depending on whether or not the participant is a victim of CSA and on the characteristics of abuse (continuity and relationship with the perpetrator). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In terms of intervention, a reduction of avoidance-type strategies appears to have a beneficial effect, especially in the case of intrafamilial and/or continued CSA victims. The encouragement of "spontaneous" approach strategies (devised by the victim herself, without counseling) would probably not lead to more positive outcomes in terms of PTSD symptomatology. However, encouraging CSA survivors to engage in therapy aimed at developing effective approach strategies, as other studies have suggested, may help reduce PTSD symptoms.