Sexual Abuse of Children and Mental Health Problems: A Study among Doctoral Students in a University
Mirshad Rahman T M1 , Dr. A. Shahin Sultana2
1Ph.D. Scholar (UGC-SRF), Department of Social work, Pondicherry University, Puducherry- 605014
2Associate Professor & Head, Department of Social work, Pondicherry University, Puducherry- 605014
*Corresponding Author E-mail: rahman.socialwork@yahoo.com, dr.shahinsultana@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Child abuse and neglect is a social and public health problem, as well as children’s rights issue around the world and it leads to a wide range of adverse consequences to the children. Although child sexual abuse (CSA) is recognized as a serious violation of human well-being and of the law, no community has yet developed mechanisms that ensure that none of their children will be sexually abused. The purpose of this study is to assess the perception of doctoral scholars on mental health problems faced by victims of Child sexual abuse. In order to collect data a 25 item self-prepared questionnaire was developed and administered to doctoral scholars of Social sciences in a University. Descriptive research design is used for the study. The study is quantitative in nature and simple random sampling method is used to select the participants.The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents have an understanding that child sexual abuse affects the mental health of the victim, however finding also showed that some respondents lack knowledge on the issues of child sexual abuse. Authorities dealing students welfare activities in the Institution can provide awareness and sensitize child sexual abuse prevention strategies to the students by incorporating information about sexual abuse of children through campaigns and symposiums.
KEYWORDS: Child sexual abuse, mental health, doctoral scholars, perceptions
INTRODUCTION:
Child abuse is a major public health problem. Child Sexual abuse is universal health problem with lots of life-long problems. Kempe and Kempe (1978) define child sexual abuse as “the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities which they do not fully comprehend, are unable to give informed consent to and that violate social taboos of family roles”. Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (WHO, 2014). Sexual abuse affects psychological, emotional, physical, and social domains, which increase the risk of depression, guilt, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, poor self-esteem and many other health impairments. Children subjected to violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect are at risk of shortened lives, poor physical and mental health, educational problems (including dropping out of school), poor parenting skills later in life, homelessness and displacement. Sexual abuse teaches victims that their bodies are not really their own. Victims often report feelings such as shame, terror, depression, and guilt, and many blame themselves for the assault (Wilson, 2017).
LITERATURE REVIEW:
Miller-Perrin and Perrin (2007) described that the effects of child abuse and neglect among children and young people as chronic and debilitating; others may experience less adverse outcomes. Mullen et al., (1996) established that child abuse results in distress at the time of the abuse and results in long-term deleterious effects on the victims’ functioning and well-being. Trickett and Putnam (1993) found that CSA have long-term consequences, it includes depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, substance abuse, sexual problems and posttraumatic stress disorders. In an another study, Finkelhor, Ormord, Turner, and Hamby (2005) revealed that a large proportion of children and young people who experience childhood abuse or neglect are exposed to more than one type of abuse. Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety disorders, have consistently been (Deblinger, Behl, and Glickman, 2006) linked with child abuse and neglect particularly for adolescents (Brown, Cohen, Johnson, and Smailes, 1999)
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Descriptive research design is used. The study is quantitative in nature and simple random sampling is used to select the participants. In order to collect data a 25 item self-prepared questionnaire was developed and administered to 60 doctoral scholars of Social sciences in a University.
RESULTS:
Table 1 Demographic data of participants
|
Characteristics |
Frequency |
% |
Characteristics |
Frequency |
%
|
|
Gender |
Residence |
||||
|
Male |
32 |
53.3 |
Rural |
31 |
51.7 |
|
Female |
28 |
46.7 |
Urban |
20 |
33.3 |
|
Total Responses |
60 |
100 |
Semi-Urban |
9 |
15 |
|
Age |
Total Responses |
60 |
100 |
||
|
25 |
6 |
10 |
Family type |
||
|
26 |
5 |
8.3 |
Joint |
26 |
43.3 |
|
27 |
8 |
13.3 |
Nuclear |
34 |
56.7 |
|
28 |
20 |
33.3 |
Total Responses |
60 |
100 |
|
29 |
8 |
13.3 |
Marital status |
|
|
|
30 |
7 |
11.6 |
Never married |
48 |
80 |
|
31 |
6 |
10 |
Married |
12 |
20 |
|
Total Responses |
60 |
100 |
Separated |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Divorced |
0 |
0 |
||
|
Total Responses |
60 |
100 |
|||
Table 2 Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse
|
Perpetrators |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
Family members |
13 |
21.6 |
|
Male adults |
20 |
33.3 |
|
Female adults |
7 |
11.7 |
|
Strangers |
16 |
26.7 |
|
Family friends |
4 |
6.7 |
|
Total |
60 |
100 |
Table 3 Perception about children who have been sexually abused
|
Statements |
Strongly agree |
Agree |
Disagree |
Strongly Disagree |
|
Most of the time children are sexually abused when they are alone, at night, and outside their home |
31.7% (n=19) |
38.3% (n=23) |
30 (n=18) |
0 |
|
Most perpetrators of child sexual abuse do not belong to the child’s family |
10% (n=6) |
36.7% (n=22) |
40% (n=24) |
13.3% (n=8) |
|
In sexual abuse cases the child is never responsible |
26.7% (n=16) |
25% (n=15) |
35% (n=21) |
13.3% (n=8) |
|
Children who have been sexually abused are more likely to sexually abuse their children when they become parents. |
15% (n=9) |
53.3% (n=32) |
21.7% (n=13) |
10% (n=6) |
|
Substance abuse problems beginning in childhood or adolescence are some of the most common consequences of Child sexual abuse |
23.3% (n=14) |
61.7% (n=37) |
8.3% (n=5) |
6.7% (n=4) |
|
Low self-esteemed children are more vulnerable to Child Sexual Abuse |
48.3% (n=29) |
36.7% (n=22) |
15% (n=9) |
0 |
Table 4 Perception about mental health problems of sexually abused children
|
Statements |
Strongly agree |
Agree |
Disagree |
Strongly Disagree |
|
Emotional and mental health problems are often the first consequence and sign of Child sexual abuse |
38.3% (n=23) |
31.7% (n=19) |
25% (n=15) |
5% (n=3) |
|
Children who have been sexually abused will have long-lasting health consequences |
46.7% (n=28) |
53.3% (n=32) |
0 |
0 |
|
Children who experience childhood sexual abuse may have short-term and long-term psychological consequences |
30% (n=18) |
50% (n=30) |
20% (n=12) |
0 |
|
Victims of child abuse and neglect are more likely to commit crimes as juveniles and adults. |
20% (n=12) |
50% (n=30) |
15% (n=9) |
15% (n=9) |
|
Children who experience childhood sexual abuse may have a higher risk of experiencing anxiety disorders |
18.3% (n=11) |
66.7% (n=40) |
10% (n=6) |
5% (n=3) |
|
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at greater risk of developing problems with alcohol and other drugs |
31.7% (n=19) |
45% (n=27) |
23.3% (n=14) |
0 |
|
People who experience childhood sexual abuse are two to three times more likely to experience abuse as adults |
16.7% (n=10) |
53.3% (n=32) |
30% (n=18) |
0 |
Table 5 Child Sexual abuse contributing to mental health aspects
|
Responses |
A little extent |
To moderate extent |
To much extent |
To great extent |
|
Depression |
0 |
36.7% (n=22) |
31.7 (n=19) |
31.7 (n=19) |
|
Violence |
0 |
41.7% (n=25) |
33.3% (n=20) |
25% (n=15) |
|
Substance abuse |
6.7% (n=4) |
60% (n=36) |
20% (n=12) |
13.3% (n=8) |
|
Eating disorders |
13.3% (n=8) |
58.3% (n=35) |
18.3% (n=11) |
10% (n=4) |
|
Problems at school |
20% (n=12) |
45% (n=27) |
25% (n=15) |
10% (n=6) |
*No one has marked ‘Not at all’ in the questionnaire for this particular response questions.
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:
Respondent’s Demographics:
The key findings from the demographic data collected revealed that 53.3 % n=32) were males and 46.7 % (n=28) were females. Regarding Residence status of the respondents 51.7% (n=31) were Rural, 33.3% (n=20) were Urban and 15% (n=9) were from Semi Urban respectively. The family type distribution of respondents revealed 43.3% (n=26) were Joint family and 56.7% (n=34) were nuclear family. The marital status found among the respondents was 80% (n=48) single and 20% (n=12) were married. There weren’t any respondents who were separated or divorced.
Most Common/Frequent Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse:
In order to identify the doctoral scholar’s perceptions about perpetrators of CSA, out of the 60 participants 21.6 % (n=13) reported family members, 33.3% (n=20) reported male adults, 11.7% (n=7) reported female adults, 26.7 (n=16) reported strangers and 6.7% (n=4) reported family friends.
Respondents’ perception about children who have been sexually abused:
To identify the doctoral scholar’s perceptions about children who have been sexually abused, participants were asked to indicate their agreement with the statements, 38.3% (n=23) participants agreed to the statement “Most of the time children are sexually abused when they are alone, at night, and outside their home.” 40% (n=24) participants disagreed to the statement “Most perpetrators of child sexual abuse do not belong to the child’s family” 35% (n=21) participants reported disagree to the statement “In sexual abuse cases the child is never responsible” 53.3% (n=32) participants reported agree with the statement “Children who have been sexually abused are more likely to sexually abuse their children when they become parents” 61.7% (n=37) participants reported agree to the statement “Substance abuse problems beginning in childhood or adolescence are some of the most common consequences of Child sexual abuse” and 48.3% (n=29) participants reported strongly agree to the statement “Low self-esteemed children are more vulnerable to Child Sexual Abuse”
Respondents’ perception about mental health problems of sexually abused children:
In order to identify the doctoral scholar’s perceptions about mental health problems of sexually abused children participants were asked to indicate their agreement with the statements 38.3% (n=23) participants reported strongly agree with the statement “Emotional and mental health problems are often the first consequence and sign of Child sexual abuse” 46.7% (n=28) participants reported strongly agree with the statement “Children who have been sexually abused will have long-lasting health consequences” 50% (n=30) participants reported agree to the statement “Children who experience childhood sexual abuse may have short-term and long-term psychological consequences” 50% (n=30) participants reported agree with the statement “Victims of child abuse and neglect are more likely to commit crimes as juveniles and adults.” 66.7% (n=40) participants reported agree to the statement “Children who experience childhood sexual abuse may have a higher risk of experiencing anxiety disorders” 31.7% (n=19) participants reported strongly agree with the statement “Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at greater risk of developing problems with alcohol and other drugs” and 53.3% (n=32) participants reported agree with the statement “People who experience childhood sexual abuse are two to three times more likely to experience abuse as adults”
Respondents’ perception on CSA contributing to mental health aspects:
In order to identify the doctoral scholar’s perceptions about child sexual abuse contributing to mental health aspects participants reported that depression as a mental health problem for victims of sexual abuse to a moderate extent 36.7% (n=22), Likewise participants reported other mental health aspects for victims of sexual abuse were Violence 41.7% (n=25) to a moderate extent, Substance abuse issues 60% (n= 36) to a moderate extent, Eating disorders 58.3% (n=35) to a moderate extent and Problems at school 45% (n=27) to a moderate extent.
DISCUSSION:
The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents in this study have an understanding that child sexual abuse affects the mental health of the victim, however finding also showed that some respondents lack knowledge about child sexual abuse.With respect to the statements on mental health aspects on CSA majority of the respondents reported positively, and 52% of them agreed that in sexual abuse cases the child is never responsible. 66.7% (n=40) of respondents believed that anxiety is a consequence associated with history of sexual abuse. These findings show agreement to the findings of Deblinger, Behl, and Glickman, (2006). Deblinger, Behl, and Glickman (2006) said that sexual abuse increases risk for depression, guilt fear, PTSD, dissociative and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, poor self-esteem, and chronic pain. There is a need for more research that focuses on youth understanding of this major health issue related to awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse. Wurtele (2009) opined that school settings are the understandable choice to teach children about sexual abuse since their focus is informing and educating. Research findings on college students’ perception of sexual abuse of children may increase accurate awareness which is necessary to prevent this devastating health consequence for our children. Increasing college students’ knowledge and awareness about sexual abuse in children and educating them on sexual abuse prevention strategies could help them in their future parenting.
CONCLUSION:
Attitudes are one of the important indicators for the level of public knowledge about child sexual abuse and willingness to act to prevent it. Prevention programmes for child sexual abuse may be effective if the public views child sexual abuse as a problem relevant in their communities. Continuous public education and advocacy is needed for better concerted effort in protecting children from harm. To develop an adequate program to educate the students regarding child abuse, it is essential to understand the public’s perceptions of the issues. If schools are going to implement child abuse programs, they may want to work with community health agencies such as to educate the community regarding the issues of child abuse to ensure community support for the school programs. This is especially true given the fact that one of the few studies that examined public perceptions of child abuse disclosed that few adults favoured an educational programme directed just to the children. (Calvert and Munsie-Benson , 1999)
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Received on 08.03.2017 Modified on 15.03.2017
Accepted on 28.03.2017 © A&V Publication all right reserved
Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2017; 5(1): 11-15.
DOI: