The Relationship Between Child Sexual Abuse, Self-Concept and Psychopathology: The Moderating Role of Social Support and Perceived Parental Quality

• NCJ Number: 255842
• Journal: Children and Youth Services Review Volume: 113 Dated: June 2020
• Author(s): Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan
• Date Published: June 2020
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2006-JW-BX-0003, 2009-JW-BX-0018
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined a theoretical model of the effect of child sexual abuse on victim psychopathology.

Abstract

Although many studies identify the relationship between child sexual abuse and victim psychopathology, further understanding of the mechanism of this association is required. In the current study, analyses were based on three waves from the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV), which was conducted in 2008, 2010 and 2014. Children and youth ages 10–17 who reported being sexually abused (N = 414) were examined and compared to a control group selected to match the CSA group in age, sex, and socioeconomic status (N = 414). Using structural equation modeling, the study examined a theoretical model of the effect of child sexual abuse on the development of psychopathology. Sexually abused children were found to have lower self-concept, social support, and perceived parental quality, as well as higher psychopathology compared to the control group. Higher self-concept, social support, and perceived parental quality were linked with lower levels of psychopathology. (publisher abstract modified)