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The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Psychological Distress Among Women in New Zealand
Author(s) -
Flett Ross A.,
Kazantzis Nikolaos,
Long Nigel R.,
MacDonald Carol,
Millar Michelle,
Clark Bronwyn,
Edwards Howard,
Petrik Alexandra M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6171.2011.00311.x
Subject(s) - psychological distress , distress , sexual abuse , suicide prevention , injury prevention , psychiatry , clinical psychology , poison control , psychology , occupational safety and health , human factors and ergonomics , medicine , medical emergency , mental health , pathology
PROBLEMS: In order to better understand the long‐term impact of child sex abuse, this study examined the association between women's experience of abuse, health symptoms, and psychological distress in adulthood. There is limited information about child abuse outside the United States. METHODS: Nine hundred sixty‐one women participated in a structured interview. RESULTS: Participants who had experienced abuse (13%) were significantly more vulnerable to psychological distress in adulthood if they were younger, less satisfied with their standard of living, and resided in urban areas. CONCLUSION: Dissemination and evaluation of therapies for the treatment of sex abuse in the New Zealand context is warranted.