Social reactions to child sex abuse revelation and psychological distress in female victims

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the impact of social reactions to child sexual abuse revelation on the psychological wellbeing of 12 women (M=37 years; SD=10.51), attendees of a Spanish victim support centre. The results demonstrate a significant association between the scales of social reaction relative to egocentrism, help and information, distraction, control, treating differently and emotional support, and most psychopathological symptoms. Some of these reactions are confused and ambivalent since they are perceived as well-intentioned by support workers and victims alike, yet are majorly associated with the presence of psychopathological symptoms. This underlines the need to continue research on the influence of social reactions on the psychosocial adjustment of abuse victims and to address the problem of the sexual abuse of children through prevention and education of the family.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

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