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Impact of child sexual abuse disclosure on the health of nonoffending parents: A longitudinal perspective |
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| Authors: | Mireille Cyr Jean-Yves Frappier Martine Hébert Marc Tourigny Pierre McDuff Marie-Eve Turcotte |
| Institution: | 1. Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada;2. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada;3. Département de Sexologie, UQAM, Montréal, Québec, Canada;4. Département de Psychoéducation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada;5. Chaire de recherche Nicolas Steinmetz - Gilles Julien en Pédiatrie Sociale en Communauté, Université McGill, Montréal, Québec, Canada |
| Abstract: | The impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosure on parents’ psychological health has been documented among samples of nonoffending parents. Much less is known about the parents’ physical health. This study assesses the longitudinal impact of CSA disclosure on both the mental and physical health of parents and explores potential gender differences. Interviews with 92 mothers and 32 fathers were completed approximately 12 months and 18 months following disclosure. Generalized as well as mixed model analyses revealed that mothers reported more psychological distress, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and activity limitation than fathers. With the exception of PTSD symptoms which showed a significant reduction over time, all other psychological and physical symptoms persisted. The findings highlight the importance of ensuring services for an extended period for the small proportion of parents who display especially high vulnerability. |
| Keywords: | Child sexual abuse disclosure health services longitudinal mental health nonoffending parents physical health |