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Publication
Abuso sexual infantojuvenil e as suas características: Impacto na saúde mental e comportamento desviante
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
O abuso sexual infantojuvenil poderá apresentar um impacto devassante no desenvolvimento
psicológico e social do sujeito. Neste âmbito, as características distintas em que ocorre o
abuso poderão implicar diferentes consequências para a vítima. A presente investigação teve
como objetivos avaliar: 1) o impacto do abuso sexual infantojuvenil na sintomatologia
psicopatológica e no comportamento desviante; 2) a simetria das características do abuso
sexual infantojuvenil em função do sexo da vítima; e 3) as repercussões dessas mesmas
características na sintomatologia psicopatológica e versatilidade dos comportamentos
desviantes. A amostra deste estudo é composta por 617 jovens adultos da comunidade, com
idades entre os 18 e os 20 anos, que preencheram o Questionário de Experiências de
Adversidade na Infância, Escala de Versatilidade do Comportamento Desviante e Escala de
Ansiedade, Depressão e Stress. Setenta e seis jovens foram identificados com tendo sido
vítimas de abuso sexual na infância ou adolescência. Os resultados indicam que o abuso
sexual de menores é um fator de risco para sintomatologia psicopatológica e comportamentos
desviantes, sendo que as características do abuso são tendencialmente diferentes em função do
sexo (e.g., número de perpetradores), e encontram-se diferencialmente associadas a diferentes
dimensões de saúde mental e comportamento desviante. Esta investigação vai de encontro a
um vasto número de estudos que suporta o efeito traumático do abuso sexual infantojuvenil ao
longo da vida, e acrescenta à evidência científica existente a necessidade de aprofundar as
condições específicas em que o abuso sexual ocorre em função do sexo da vítima.
Implicações clínicas e sociais são discutidas.
ABSTRACT: Child sexual abuse may have a devastating impact on subject’s psychological and social development. In this context, distinctive characteristics in which the abuse occurs may have different consequences for the victim. The present study aimed to evaluate: 1) the impact of child sexual abuse on psychopathological symptoms and deviant behavior; 2) the symmetry of child sexual abuse characteristics according to gender; and 3) the repercussions of child sexual abuse characteristics on psychopathological symptomatology and deviant behavior. A total of 617 young adults from the community between the ages of 18 and 20 participated in this study. The Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, Deviant Behavior Versatility Scale and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale were used. Seventy-six participants were victims of sexual abuse during childhood or adolescence. Results indicate that child sexual abuse is a risk factor for psychopathological symptomatology and deviant behavior, furthermore suggesting that characteristics of child sexual abuse tend to be gender-specific (e.g., number of perpetrators) and are differentially associated to distinct dimensions of mental health and deviant behavior. This research is in line with a large number of studies supporting the traumatic effect of child sexual abuse throughout life and adds to the existing scientific evidence the need to deepen the specific conditions in which child sexual abuse occurs according to victim’s gender. Clinical and social implications are discussed.
ABSTRACT: Child sexual abuse may have a devastating impact on subject’s psychological and social development. In this context, distinctive characteristics in which the abuse occurs may have different consequences for the victim. The present study aimed to evaluate: 1) the impact of child sexual abuse on psychopathological symptoms and deviant behavior; 2) the symmetry of child sexual abuse characteristics according to gender; and 3) the repercussions of child sexual abuse characteristics on psychopathological symptomatology and deviant behavior. A total of 617 young adults from the community between the ages of 18 and 20 participated in this study. The Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire, Deviant Behavior Versatility Scale and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale were used. Seventy-six participants were victims of sexual abuse during childhood or adolescence. Results indicate that child sexual abuse is a risk factor for psychopathological symptomatology and deviant behavior, furthermore suggesting that characteristics of child sexual abuse tend to be gender-specific (e.g., number of perpetrators) and are differentially associated to distinct dimensions of mental health and deviant behavior. This research is in line with a large number of studies supporting the traumatic effect of child sexual abuse throughout life and adds to the existing scientific evidence the need to deepen the specific conditions in which child sexual abuse occurs according to victim’s gender. Clinical and social implications are discussed.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Psicologia Clínica
Keywords
Características do abuso sexual infantojuvenil Saúde mental Comportamentos desviantes Characteristics of child sexual abuse Mental health Deviant behavior