Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Adulthood

1200 Words3 Pages

Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Adulthood Child abuse is a serious issue in today's society. Many people have been victims of child abuse. There are three forms of child abuse: physical, emotional, and sexual. Many researchers believe that sexual abuse is the most detremental of the three. A middle-aged adult who is feeling depressed will probably not relate it back to his childhood, but maybe he should. The short-term effects of childhood sexual abuse have been proven valid, but now the question is, do the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse affect middle-aged adults? Many contradicting views arise from the subject of childhood sexual abuse. Researchers and psychologists argue on this issue. Childhood sexual abuse has the potential to damage a child physically, emotionally, and behaviorally for the rest of his or her childhood, and the effects have been connected to lasting into middle-aged adulthood. Research has been conducted on what type of children are the most at risk of being sexually abused. Childhood abuse has a greater chance of happening to children of certain backgrounds. One researcher states that "Child sexual abuse occurs more frequently in children from socially deprived and disorganized family backgrounds. Marital dysfunction, as evidenced by parental separation and domestic violence, is associated with higher risks of child sexual abuse" (Mullen 4). Mullen goes on to state that "The possibility has been raised that characteristics such as physical attractiveness, temperament, or physical maturity might increase the risks of children being sexually abused" (4). Many researchers link behavioral problems in adulthood to childhood abuse. One researcher says that "An adult who was sexually abused as a child has a greater chance of becoming violent, suicidal, and abusive to their children than an adult who was not abused sexually as a child" (Kliest 155). These characteristics could hinder a victim from living a normal lifestyle and having a family. Kliest also states, "Adults who were abused sexually as children will have a greater chance than those who were not of experiencing sexual dysfunction, such as flashbacks, difficulty in arousal, and phobic reactions to sexual intimacy" (156). Many researchers agree that childhood sexual abuse has a negative effect on an adult's personal relationships. Another researcher states, "A history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) appears to have an adverse impact on the quality of adult intimate relationships, and they report avoiding the development of close adult relationships because of their fear of rejection" (Whiffen 1103).

Show More
Related

  • The Effect of Childhood Sexual Abuse during Adulthood

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    The effects of childhood sexual abuse carry on with the children forever. To what extent and to what effect does abuse have on children during adulthood? What are the main issues that adults have been abused suffer from in adulthood? Do they have more of a physical issue with preforming with their partner in the bedroom or do they have more of a mental block due to their trauma? The world had been asking these questions for far too long and we need answers on how helping the children of our world. The questions that have been stated have been answered through the two articles that will be summarized below.

    Read More

  • Child Sexual Abuse and Its Impact on The Developing Brain, An Annotated Bibliography

    842 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gaskill, Richard L. and Perry, Bruce D. (2012) “Child Sexual Abuse, Traumatic Experiences, and Their Impact on the Developing Brain” Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse: Identification, Assessment, and Treatment. Online.

    Read More

  • Long-Term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    This paper outlines the consequences of child sexual abuse (CSA) based on the examination of results from multiple researches previously fulfilled concerning the psychological and physical impact of this crime, information of statistics, warning signs detected, victims’ performances, and emotional state. Sexual abuse causes severe trauma on child victims that will last for the course of their lives, therefore it is critical to identify and improve the therapeutic methods utilized to treat CSA survivors.

    Read More

  • The Severity of Child Sexual Abuse

    1021 Words  | 3 Pages

    Child abuse, while having many different forms and levels of severity, can be basically defined as the maltreatment of a child by a parent or other adult. When one thinks of child abuse, usually the first thing that comes to mind is physical harm, but the issue is actually much more complex. The abuse of a child can also be manifested in verbal and emotional forms, as well as in sexual molestation. All forms of child abuse generally result in similar emotional disorders and behavioral issues, but the major consequences of sexual abuse, such as mental or emotional scarring, promiscuity, and the tendency of former victims to become sexual abusers, cause it to be the most severely damaging form of child abuse.

    Read More

  • Child Abuse and Neglect

    2539 Words  | 6 Pages

    Children who have been abused are left with more than just physical scars. They have many psychological, emotional, and behavioral problems as well. Their social lives are affected dramatically, and they suffer lifelong effects. (Lambert) Children tend to be emotionally disturbed years after the abuse, many have IQ scores lower than average, and some have even been classified as mentally retarded. Children who have been abused also show signs of personality and neurological changes. (Oates 119) Sexual abuse has been linked to nightmares, bed wetting, sadness, clinging behavior, and anxiety. Children also showed more aggressive and anti-social behaviors. (Oates 127) Adults who were sexually abused are more prone to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and drug or alcohol problems. (Oates 132-133) Studies show overwhelming evidence of the effects abuse can have on a child, and the way the effects continue into their adult lives. (Oates 135)

    Read More

  • Child Abuse in the United States

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    Child abuse goes way back in history starting from the time when a little 10 year old girl got removed from her parents home in 1874. The case is connected to the founding of the New York Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which gave rise to the founding of similar societies (National Association of Counsel for Children). Most children under the age of 3 tended to have a higher rate of victimization and girls had a higher risk than boys. Sexual abuse was frequently associated with family problems such as parental alcholism, parental rejection, and parental marital conflict (Bright Futures 4 Kids). Throughtout history, child abuse seems to be less crucial and likely than it was before because back then there was a lower rate of child care. Man...

    Read More

  • The Psychological Damage of Sexual Trauma

    1283 Words  | 3 Pages

    Approximately 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today (Bull,2001). This figure continues to grow daily as perpetrators of this crime continue in this destructive path. To get a better understanding of what sexual trauma can do to a child the website all about counseling asked us to imagine “ a 6 year old being abused by a family member, say Uncle Joe. Uncle Joe has been very nice to the child up until the other day. He then steps across sexual boundaries, or even becomes physically hurtful to the child. The child may have a hard time holding onto that experience and still function as a young child, playing and enjoying life (www.allaboutcounseling.com).

    Read More

  • The Negative Effects Of Childhood Abuse

    1006 Words  | 3 Pages

    It’s no secret that child abuse causes long-lasting effects, but can any of the effects turn out to be positive? According to research, the chance of there being positive impacts of childhood abuse is extremely small. The list of possible negative impacts of childhood abuse is a long one, and they can last a lifetime if not properly treated. Though it is very possible to recover from the negative impacts of childhood abuse, the chance of them turning positive is slim to none. Childhood abuse not only affects future relationships and self-esteem, but it can also cause basic day-to-day activities to become extremely difficult. The trauma that results from childhood abuse, whether it is physical, mental, or sexual, can only result in a negative

    Read More

  • The Iphone: The Apple's Impact On The Environment

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    The iPhone is created with a display screen that is free of arsenic and mercury, which makes the phone easier to be recycled (Ende). The iPhone is also packaged to help promote efficient shipping (Ende). Consumers have also been concerned with carbon dioxide emissions from the company. Apple has shown an increase in carbon dioxide emissions since the iPhone 4s model to the iPhone 5 model. The iPhone 4s model had 55 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions that were raised to 75 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions for the iPhone 5 over the lifespans of the devices (Ende). The new charging port that Apple uses in the iPhone has also concerned environmentalists. Since the newer iPhone’s require a completely different cable, environmentalists are concerned that an extremely large amount of electronic waste will accumulate (Ende). As it turns out, most people still are not concerned about this problem since iPhone sales have actually grown throughout the

    Read More

  • Childhood Sexual Abuse

    1005 Words  | 3 Pages

    A strong incidence of long-term psychological problems exists for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. George (1996) found that adults who had experienced childhood sexual abuse were twice as likely to suffer from mental health disorder when compared to their counterparts who were nor abuse.

    Read More

  • Family And Medical Leave Act (WHD)

    674 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over the years, many Americans have pointed out the successes of the act- such as the generally positive impact that the act has had on employee absenteeism, turnover, and morale, that tend to come about with little to no negative impact on the employers themselves. (WHD: Survey Factsheet). Yet, an alternative perspective of the FMLA views the act as unnecessary and believes that the FMLA is actually hindrance upon employers who should be able to set their own policies and agendas on the subject of employee leave. Lastly, some people even tend to argue that the FMLA fails to go far enough into protecting employee well-being. In recent years, an increasing number of Americans have called for a revision of our current FMLA, citing a desire to institute a more comprehensive leave act with expanded employer coverage, looser requirements for employee leave, and even the desire to institute a paid leave system, as opposed to this current unpaid leave system.

    Read More

  • Sexual Abuse in Childhood and Adolescence

    2668 Words  | 6 Pages

    ...). Child sexual abuse and adulthood-interpersonal outcomes: Examining pathways for intervention. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4(6), 605-613.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Chil Child Abuse

    1501 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are many forms of child maltreatment, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, and emotional abuse (Child Help).” The three main types of abuse are physical, emotional, and sexual. Abuse can be found in many sorts of ways; most of the time it cannot be seen by human eyes, but nonetheless creates problem for the child. Emotional abuse can be just as traumatizing for a child as physical abuse. It was found that 80% of victims of the age 21 showed some sort of psychological issue later on in life if they had suffered from one of the three types of child abuse early in their childhood. Victims also are 25% more likely for teen pregnancy, and less likely to practice safe sex which increases the spread of sexual transmitted diseases

    Read More

  • Child Sexual Abuse Essay

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is most important to understand that children and teens of all racial, religious, ethnic, gender and age groups, at all socio-economic levels are sexually abused. Although there are risk factors that may increase the possibility of sexual abuse, sex abuse can be found in all types of families, communities, and cultures (The Scope of, 2016). Childhood sexual abuse is an important issue to address because the impact of sexual does not end when the abuse ends. Childhood trauma follows into adulthood and can have long-range effects. “Survivors of sexual abuse are at significantly greater risks for severe and chronic mental health issues, including alcoholism, depression, anxiety, PTSD and high risk behaviors” (The Scope Of, 2016). Victims may experience traumatic sexualization, or the shaping of their sexuality in “developmentally inappropriate” and “interpersonally dysfunctional” ways (Effects of Child, 2012). “A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, and can become suicidal” (Effects of Child, 2012). Overall, the effects and impact of childhood sexual abuse are long lasting and do not diminish when the abuse ends, their childhood trauma follows them into

    Read More

  • Advertising: The Impact Of The Positive Influence Of Advertising

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is an uncommon relationship that most would not crave to want, the unemotional connection that the consumer has with the celebrity is why endorsement work and why advertisers continue to use celebrity as part of their brand’s image. “The problem with advertising isn’t that it creates artificial needs, but that it exploits our very real and human desires” (Kilbourne 467). Building a relationship naturally is between two human beings, but advertising has gone beyond and made objects into things that have fake emotions. Producing relationship that might be stronger even than any bond between humans at any level, either inmate or not. Kilbourne has studied the influences and affects that ads have on people and realized that, “ads have long promised us a better relationship via a product, buy this and you will be loved... to buy this and I will love you” (467). Products will not disappoint a person or betray them in any way. The item will stay forever without any complications because they do not have feelings, which make the consumer happy, since they do not have to feel disappointment or upset. Advertisers are aware of this bond that a product brings to the consumer that they build upon by adding a celebrity into the mix. Making two things a consumer loves and admire, not having disappointment and celebrities into

    Read More

More about Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Adulthood

Open Document