Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2007):

Sexual assault disclosure in relation to adolescent mental health: results from the National Survey of Adolescents.

Full Abstract

Child sexual assault is a risk factor for a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems. Little is known about mental health functioning in relation to victims' decisions to tell someone (or not) about their assault. This study used data from a nationally representative sample of 4,023 adolescents to examine the relation between sexual assault disclosure characteristics and mental health outcomes. Results indicated that youth who disclosed the assault to someone within 1 month were at reduced risk for current major depressive episode (MDE) and delinquency. No relation was found between disclosure latency and risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or substance use problems. Notably, disclosure to mothers was associated with significantly reduced risk for current PTSD and delinquency.

Author information

Author/s: Broman-Fulks, Joshua J (JJ); Ruggiero, Kenneth J (KJ); Hanson, Rochelle F (RF); Smith, Daniel W (DW); Resnick, Heidi S (HS); Kilpatrick, Dean G (DG); Saunders, Benjamin E (BE);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. bromanfulks(-atsign-)appstate.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology : the official journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53 (J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2007 Apr-Jun; vol 36 (issue 2) : pp 260-6

Dates: Created 2007/05/08; Completed 2007/09/26; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17484698, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological Adolescent Child Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; statistics & numerical data Cross-Sectional Studies Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Female Health Surveys Humans

Juvenile Delinquency - psychology; statistics & numerical data Male Mental Disorders - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Rape - psychology; statistics & numerical data Risk Self Disclosure Statistics as Topic Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Substance-Related Disorders - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology

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