The irrational beliefs and the psychological symptoms of the sexual abuse victims

Abstract

The irrational beliefs and the psychological symptoms of the sexual abuse victims Objective: Sexual revictimization (SR) is one of the important results of childhood sexual abuse, and an important issue that should be investigated and prevented. Evaluating irrational beliefs and the psychological symptoms of sexually revictimized adolescents would be useful in determination of the victims and in preventing the SR. This descriptive study examined irrational beliefs and psychological symptoms of the adolescents who have been exposed to SR, one-time sexual abuse (SA) and those who have not been exposed to SA. Methods: Participants were 210 adolescent girls who are aged between 15-18. The data was collected via the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Irrational Belief Scale-Adolescent Form, and a one-way ANOVA was utilized for data analysis. Results: No significant difference has been determined in the mean irrational belief scores of the adolescents with respect to sexual abuse victimization. However, it was found that the psychological symptoms—such as depression, negative self-perception, somatization, hostility—of the adolescents exposed to SR are higher than the comparison group and the ones who have been exposed to one-time SA. The anxiety symptom scores of the adolescents who have been exposed to SR was significantly higher than the adolescents in the comparison group, and was similar with with the adolescents in SA group. It was determined that the group who have been exposed to one time SA, have higher mean scores of anxiety, depression, negative self-perception and somatization than the comparison group. Conclusion: Different psychological problems can be seen in adolescents who have been exposed to SR and one-time SA. It is believed that taking into account of such differences may be helpful in the process of the treatment of victims.