Neuroanatomical Correlates of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Identifying Biological Substrates for Environmental Effects on Clinical Phenotypes
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Sexual abuse during childhood is surprisingly common, with estimates in the general population ranging from 15% to 38% (1).It is associated with significant psychiatric sequelae, including the development of major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).These common consequences of exposure to trauma can emerge in the aftermath of natural disasters as well as those in which humans have a hand (2).Some responses, such as suicidal behavior, are not only life-threatening but have multigenerational repercussions, as individuals who report childhood sexual abuse are at risk not only for suicidal behavior themselves but also for transmitting suicidal behavior and mood disorders to their offspring (3).The timing (4) and severity of childhood sexual abuse are also relevant to its consequences (5).Earlier age at onset of childhood sexual abuse is associated with more intent during suicide attempts (6) as well as greater severity of PTSD (7) and depressive symptoms (8).Similarly, the severity of sexual abuse during development is reportedly related to earlier-onset suicidal behavior (6), greater depression severity (9), and more pronounced symptoms among patients with borderline personality disorder (5).Interestingly, other forms of early life stress, such as childhood emotional abuse and neglect, have been found to be stronger predictors of subsequent depression in adulthood than childhood sexual or physical abuse (10).
Source: American Journal of Psychiatry
Institutions: New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G1245664333
OpenAlex ID: W2092339682