Gender and generation perspectives in the narratives of sexually abused women in childhood

Psychological intervention in women victims of childhood sexual abuse: a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy

Introduction

Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe long-term consequences in victims. This study implements an intervention comprising two psychotherapeutic approaches recommended by the WHO and international clinical guidelines for addressing short-, medium-, and long-term posttraumatic symptomatology: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are adapted from group formats for implementation in small online groups via Zoom.

Methods

The impact of both therapeutic approaches on trauma improvement was assessed in a sample of 19 women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse through a Randomized Clinical Trial comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy after a baseline period. Intra and inter comparison were made using statistics appropriate to the sample.

Results

Both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced symptomatology across various evaluated variables, suggesting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for these individuals. Following CBT-FT treatment, patients exhibited enhanced emotional regulation, reduced reexperiencing, and avoidance. The EMDR group, utilizing the G-TEP group protocol, significantly improved dissociation, along with other crucial clinical variables and the perception of quality of life.

Discussion

Although the limitations of this study must be taken into account due to the size of the sample and the lack of long-term follow-up, the results align with existing scientific literature, underscoring the benefits of trauma-focused psychological treatments. The online group format appears promising for enhancing the accessibility of psychological treatment for these women. Furthermore, the differential outcomes of each treatment support recent research advocating for the inclusion of both approaches for individuals with trauma-related symptomatology.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valencian International University (VIU) (Valencia, Spain) (Ref. CEID2021_07). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the scientific community.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813224, identifier NCT04813224.

Online Disclosure of Sexual Victimization: A Systematic Review

We map the available scientific literature on how and why victims of sexual violence use digital platforms in the aftermath of victimization. Twenty-four empirical studies on sexual victimization and online disclosure were identified by systematically searching Web of Science and PsycINFO, checking reference lists, and consulting authors about relevant publications. The literature on online disclosure of sexual victimization does not yield a coherent picture. International literature pays limited attention to the various components of online disclosure like the characteristics of victims who disclosure online and the characteristics of the disclosure messages. Most studies focused on motivations for and reactions to online disclosure. Victims of sexual violence disclose sexual victimization online to seek support for clarification and validation, unburdening, documenting, seeking justice, informing others, or commercial goals (individual-oriented disclosure) and to provide support, educate, and as a form of activism (other-oriented disclosure). Responses to online disclosure are predominantly positive. Negative responses are rare. This review provides a comprehensive overview of multidisciplinary empirical information and displays knowledge gaps in victimological research. Future research should use robust quantitative and/or qualitative designs with substantial sample sizes, comparing victims who do disclose their sexual victimization online to victims who do not and comparing disclosure on different online platforms to increase generalizability. Potential for online support is identified, in which online disclosure can serve as a relatively safe alternative to off-line disclosure. This offers points of intervention for assistance and victim support in facilitating the use of the internet for support for victims of sexual violence.

Correlations between childhood maltreatment, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and risk behaviors in adolescent schoolchildren

OBJECTIVE

Childhood maltreatment is extremely harmful to health, especially in relation to development of the psychiatric disorders throughout life. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and types of maltreatment in a sample of adolescent schoolchildren and to investigate associations between maltreatment types and anxiety and depressive symptoms, sociodemographic variables, and risk behaviors. The study also identified which variables were the greatest predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 654 school students aged 11 to 17 years. We collected sociodemographic data and administered the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-47) to measure anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to evaluate maltreatment and adverse experiences such as abuse and negligence during childhood and adolescence. Statistical analyses were conducted to estimate correlations between sociodemographic data, anxiety, depression, and types of maltreatment. A regression analysis was also conducted to identify maltreatment types that predict psychological symptoms.

RESULTS

Emotional abuse and emotional neglect were the most prevalent types of maltreatment. Statistically, emotional abuse was the maltreatment type most strongly correlated with depression and anxiety and tended to co-occur with other types of maltreatment. Additionally, emotional and sexual abuse were the greatest predictors of anxiety and depression in adolescents.

CONCLUSION

The above results reinforce the findings of previous studies in terms of understanding the effects of maltreatment. They identify emotional abuse as the main predictor of depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Prevalence and factors associated child neglect in a Brazilian state

ABSTRACT Objective To quantify the prevalence of neglect against the child and identify its associated factors, based on the cases reported in the state of Espírito Santo between 2011 and 2018. Methods Cross-sectional study with data reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) with all reported cases of child neglect from 2011 to 2018 in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The characteristics of the victim, author, and aggression were studied, and the associations were analyzed by Poisson regression. Results The frequency of neglect was 31.3%, being more prevalent in males (PR: 1.48; 95%CI: 1.34-1.63); for the age group of zero to two years (PR: 3.05; 95%CI: 2.65-3.51); among female aggressors (PR: 16.20; 95%CI: 9.98-26.32), and regarding the bond to the victim, we note the highest prevalence of parents/stepfathers (PR: 6.69; 95%CI: 4.16-10.74), both parents (PR: 4.41; 95%CI: 2.84-6.85) and mothers/stepmothers (PR: 2.94; 95%CI: 2.20-3.93). Conclusions and Implications for the practice The magnitude of child neglect in Espírito Santo was significant, showing the need to advance in the understanding of this phenomenon and in the implementation of expanded intersectoral public policies aimed at ensuring adequate conditions for growth and development in childhood.

Prevalência e fatores associados à negligência contra crianças em um estado brasileiro

RESUMO Objetivo Quantificar a prevalência da negligência contra a criança e identificar seus fatores associados, a partir dos casos notificados no estado do Espírito Santo no período entre 2011 e 2018. Métodos Estudo transversal com dados notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) com todos os casos notificados de negligência contra a criança no período de 2011 a 2018 no Espírito Santo, Brasil. Foram estudadas as características da vítima, do autor e da agressão e as associações foram analisadas por meio da Regressão de Poisson. Resultados A frequência de negligência foi 31,3%, sendo mais prevalente no sexo masculino (RP: 1,48; IC95%: 1,34-1,63); na faixa etária de 0 a 2 anos (RP: 3,05; IC95%: 2,65-3,51); entre agressores do sexo feminino (RP: 16,20; IC95%: 9,98-26,32), e, em relação ao vínculo nota-se a maior prevalência de pais/padrastos (RP: 6,69; IC95%: 4,16-10,74), ambos os pais (RP: 4,41; IC95%: 2,84-6,85) e mães/madrastas (RP: 2,94; IC95%: 2,20-3,93). Conclusões e Implicações para a prática A magnitude de negligência contra crianças no Espírito Santo foi expressiva, demonstrando a necessidade de avançar no entendimento deste fenômeno e na implementação de políticas públicas intersetoriais ampliadas que visem garantir condições adequadas para o crescimento e desenvolvimento na infância.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Sexual Violence against Children in a Brazilian State

Sexual violence is one of the forms of violence against children worldwide. Understanding its magnitude and its associated factors is essential to promote effective protection policies to childhood. The objective was to verify the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with sexual violence against children in a Brazilian state. This is a cross-sectional study analyzing data from reported cases of violence against children in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, between 2011 and 2018. The characteristics of the victim, perpetrator and aggression were studied, and the associations were analyzed using Poisson regression. The frequency of sexual violence was 41.8% and was more prevalent in girls, in the age groups 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 years old, in white ethnicity/color and in the urban area. The offenders were mainly men, known to the victim and occurred mainly in the residence. Sexual violence was the most reported violence among children in Espírito Santo, occurring within their circle of trust, demonstrating the need to provide support for families and to advance public policies to guarantee children's rights.

Child and adolescent victims of sexual violence: aspects of physical and emotional development

OBJECTIVE

to identify the multidisciplinary health team's perception on aspects of the physical and emotional development of children and adolescents who have suffered sexual violence.

METHODS

a qualitative study, carried out with 30 health professionals in a hospital in Bahia, Brazil, between June and July 2019. Data were collected from an interview guided by a semi-structured questionnaire. The results were interpreted according to Symbolic Interactionism.

RESULTS

some sexually violated children were under five years old and healthy, others had physical/mental disabilities. Victimized adolescents were in the pre-pubertal phase, with fragile body structure, not emotionally mature and unaware of sexuality.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

children's physical and emotional aspects make children vulnerable to sexual victimization, as they facilitate the control and dominion that offenders need to have over them. As a protection strategy, it is recommended using sexual and health education linked to greater surveillance of family members, multidisciplinary team and educators.

Crianças e adolescentes vítimas de violência sexual: aspectos do desenvolvimento físico e emocional

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar a percepção da equipe multiprofissional de saúde sobre os aspectos do desenvolvimento físico e emocional de crianças e adolescentes que sofreram violência sexual. Métodos: estudo qualitativo, realizado com 30 profissionais de saúde em hospital da Bahia, Brasil, entre junho e julho de 2019. Os dados foram coletados a partir de entrevista norteada por questionário semiestruturado. Os resultados foram interpretados conforme o Interacionismo Simbólico. Resultados: algumas crianças violadas sexualmente tinham menos de cinco anos e aspecto saudável, outras portavam deficiências físicas/mentais. Adolescentes vitimizadas estavam em fase pré-púbere, com estrutura corporal frágil, pouco amadurecidas emocionalmente e desconheciam sobre sexualidade. Considerações finais: aspectos físicos e emocionais infantojuvenis vulnerabilizam crianças para a vitimização sexual, pois facilitam o controle e domínio que o agressor necessita ter sobre elas. Como estratégia de proteção, recomenda-se o uso da educação sexual e em saúde atreladas a maior vigilância de familiares, da equipe multiprofissional e educadores.

Mobile application of the Terminology Subset for Coping with Domestic Violence Against Children

OBJECTIVE

to describe the development of a mobile application for the International Classification Terminology Subset for Nursing Practice for Coping with Domestic Violence Against Children.

METHODS

an applied research of technological development, based on the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation model and on the terminological subset based on the Theory of Nursing Praxis Intervention in Collective Health framework.

RESULTS

the application is divided into: 1) "Definition": characterizes the phenomenon of violence against children; 2) "Assistance": electronic record of nursing care; 3) "Diagnosis Consultation"; 4) "Intervention Consultation": nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions related to children and their families, subdivided into Strengthening and Weariness group.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

built from scientific research, the application has the potential to support nursing care, presenting, in an organized and systematic manner, nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions, in addition to enabling the registration of cases under monitoring.