Gender Differences in Sexually Abused Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Study in Turkey |
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| Authors: | Nusret Soylu Muhammed Ayaz Emel Sarı Gökten Ahmet Hamdi Alpaslan Yunus Emre Dönmez Özlem Özel Özcan |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkeysoylunusret@hotmail.com;3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey;4. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sevket Y?lmaz Training and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey;5. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey;6. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to examine gender-based differences in abuse-related characteristics and post-abuse psychiatric disorders among sexually abused children and adolescents. The researchers retrospectively examined files, judicial reports, and social examination reports of 1,250 sexually abused youth cases. Results showed that boys were more often victimized by penetration, force, and physical violence. Incidence of sexual abuse by family members, familiar persons, and multiple persons was higher among girls. In addition, a higher rate of major depressive disorder as well as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were found in sexually abused girls. No difference was observed between boys and girls in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and other mental disorders. Intellectual disability was more frequent in boys. |
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| Keywords: | adolescent child maltreatment child conduct disorder depressive disorder gender difference post-traumatic stress disorder sexual abuse |
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