A new report suggests children who are sexually abused may be at higher
risk for developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
The Austrian study found that a history of sexual abuse with penetration
especially increased the risk.
Previous studies have established that abused children are more likely to
develop depression, anxiety,
substance abuse, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic
stress disorder and
suicidal behavior, according to background information in the article.
“The possibility of a link between childhood sexual abuse and later
psychotic disorders, however, remains unresolved despite the claims of some
that a causal link has
Margaret C. Cutajar of
Rates of psychiatric disorders among 2,759 individuals who had
Over a 30-year period, individuals who had experienced childhood sexual
abuse had significantly higher rates than those in the comparison group of psychosis
overall (2.8 percent vs. 1.4 percent) and schizo
Participants experienced abuse at an average age of 10.2, and 1,732 (63
percent) of cases involved penetration of a bodily orifice by a penis, finger
or other object. Those exposed to this type of abuse
had higher rates of psychosis (3.4 percent) and schizo
“The risks of subsequently developing a schizo
“Children raped in early adolescence by more than one perpetrator had a
risk of developing psychotic syndromes 15 times greater than for the general
population.”
The results establish childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor for
psychotic illness, but do not necessarily translate into abuse causing or
increasing the risk of developing such a disease, the authors note.
Many cases of childhood sexual abuse never come to light, and the overall
population of abused children may be significantly different from those whose
abuse is detected by officials.
“Establishing that severe childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for
schizo
“Children who come to attention following childhood sexual abuse
involving penetration, particularly in the peripubertal
and postpubertal period, should receive ongoing
clinical and social support in the knowledge that they are at greater risk of
developing a psychotic illness.”
“Such treatment in our opinion should focus on improving their current
functioning and adaptation to the demands of the transition from adolescent to
adult roles rather than primarily on the abuse experience itself.
“Such an approach should benefit all victims, irrespective of whether
they have the potential to develop a psychotic illness.”
The study is found in the November issue of Archives of General
Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Source: JAMA and Archives
Journals