Impact of Sexual Abuse on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Ana Carolina Alves, Maria Leitão, Ana Isabel Sani and Diana Moreira ()
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Ana Carolina Alves: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
Maria Leitão: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
Ana Isabel Sani: Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
Diana Moreira: Observatory Permanent Violence and Crime (OPVC), FP-I3ID, Fernando Pessoa University, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-24

Abstract: Child sexual abuse (CSA), the most common type of maltreatment, is any action of a sexual nature by one or more adults towards a minor without the minor’s consent. This abuse represents one of the most damaging forms of trauma, has a severe impact on mental health and psychopathology, and can lead to several disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is characterized as a disorder that encompasses physical symptoms resulting from traumatic experiences that are experienced or witnessed by the victim. This systematic review aims to understand the impact of sexual abuse on post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Studies focusing on the relationship between these two variables were obtained through multiple databases. Of the 940 documents collected, 24 were retained for further analysis and the objectives, methodologies, results, and main conclusions were registered. One of the main conclusions was that the earlier the abuse starts and the more severe and long-lasting it is, the symptomatology of PTSD will be aggravated and remain in the long term.

Keywords: child sexual abuse; post-traumatic stress disorder; minors; impact (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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