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Article
A Review of Child Sexual Abuse: Impact, Risk, and Resilience in the Context of Culture
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
  • Jerusha Sanjeevi, Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Daniel Houlihan, Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Kelly Bergstrom, Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Moses M. Langley, Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • Jaxson Judkins, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Abstract

Child sexual abuse is a problem with both a national and worldwide prevalence. In this review, the authors note that while empirical research has clearly shown the negative impact of child sexual abuse on social, psychological, and sexual functioning later in life, it has also been reported that some individuals remain asymptomatic despite a history of experiencing child sexual abuse. This implies that negative outcomes later in life are not inevitable and illustrates the critical need to elucidate how resilience may moderate the negative impacts of child sexual abuse. In addition to emphasising the role of resilience, this review also underscores the important role that cultural context plays in understanding child sexual abuse, as there are known risk factors and protective factors specific to different cultures. Similarly, one’s culture may also influence whether abuse is reported and addressed, and the topic is given special attention in this paper because it is not widely discussed within the existing literature. The impact of child sexual abuse on mental health, sexual health, and social functioning is also discussed.

Disciplines
DOI
10.1080/10538712.2018.1486934
Citation Information
Sanjeevi, J., Houlihan, D., Bergstrom, K. A., Langley, M. M., & Judkins, J. (2018). A review of child sexual abuse: Impact, risk, and resilience in the context of culture. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 4(6), 622-641. doi:10.1080/10538712.2018.1486934