Child Abuse & Neglect最新文献

{"title":"Diverging paths: Health-care inequities by age among sexually abused children with disabilities","authors":"Christy Pu ,&nbsp;Yueh-Ching Chou ,&nbsp;Chiun-Ho Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study investigated disparities in health and health-care outcomes between children with disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse and children without disabilities having such experiences, considering different stages of childhood and adolescence.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We utilized linked national datasets from Taiwan, leveraging comprehensive population-level data to analyze age-specific differences in health-care utilization. Eleven postassault health-care outcomes were analyzed, including mental health visits, pediatric and ophthalmology outpatient visits, obstetrics and gynecology care, pregnancy-related visits (3 indicators), self-harm, emergency room visits, general outpatient utilization, and total medical expenditure.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 19,133 sexually abused children, 7.4 % had a documented disability. Children with disabilities were more likely than those without disabilities to be from low-income families. Mental health outpatient visits were significantly higher among children with disabilities, particularly at younger ages (eg, 4.53 additional visits at age 1 [<em>P</em> &lt; .001]), with the effect weakening with age. By contrast, younger children with disabilities had significantly fewer general and ophthalmology outpatient visits. Disability was associated with decreased use of pregnancy-related services at older ages and had no significant effect on self-harm or emergency room visits. Total medical expenditure was higher for children with disabilities, and disparities increased with age.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In children with disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse, health-care utilization varies across age groups. These findings highlight a need for age-sensitive and disability-informed responses to trauma.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107723"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Racial disparities in child welfare: A propensity score matched analysis of Black and White children in Canada","authors":"Alicia Boatswain-Kyte ,&nbsp;Kofi Antwi-Boasiako ,&nbsp;Philip Baiden ,&nbsp;Nico Trocmé ,&nbsp;Barbara Fallon ,&nbsp;Tonino Esposito ,&nbsp;Tara Black ,&nbsp;Peter Mackenzie ,&nbsp;Kristin Lwin","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107728","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Research has revealed significant disparities in child welfare (CW) involvement for Black children in Canada. However, the underlying factors contributing to these differences remain poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to identify the factors influencing racial disparities in CW investigations and out-of-home placements, with a focus on understanding the broader structural and institutional drivers shaping CW outcomes for Black children in Canada.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>Data were drawn from the 2019 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2019). The fully weighted sample included an estimated 134,925 investigations involving White families and 28,415 investigations involving Black families.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A two-stage analytical approach was employed using the weighted and unweighted sample. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used on the unweighted sample to examine racial disparities in out-of-home placement while controlling for case differences.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Findings indicate that Black children were investigated for maltreatment at 2.27 times the rate of White children. Out-of-home placement rates were also higher (3.4 vs. 1.9 per 1000; 1.79 times per capita). After matching, Black children remained more likely to be placed in out-of home care, with a rate more than double that of their white counterparts (3.1 % vs. 1.5 %; LR = 0.004, <em>p</em> = 0.004)</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings highlight a compounded effect of bias across Black children's CW trajectories, suggesting a need to address both structural and institutional factors that contribute to disparities in CW investigations and out-of-home placement decisions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107728"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The mediating role of self-esteem in the link between childhood adversities and criminality among North African adult males: A case-control study","authors":"Imen Mlouki ,&nbsp;Arij Soussi ,&nbsp;Emna Hariz ,&nbsp;Aya Ajmi Blout ,&nbsp;Marwa Boussaid ,&nbsp;Ahmed Moustafa ,&nbsp;Abir Aissaoui ,&nbsp;Sana El Mhamdi","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107718","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107718","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) significantly influence the physical and mental health of adults, and lead to poor behavioral outcomes such as criminal activities. However, the relationship between ACEs and criminal justice involvement is not fully understood, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To explore this relationship in the Tunisian context while also examining the potential mediating role of self-esteem.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>We conducted a case-control study comparing two groups of adult males in Tunisia: A case group of 403 inmates (April 2023) and a control group of 408 matched males from the general population (August 2024). We evaluated ACEs and self-esteem using the validated Arabic versions of the World Health Organization ACE questionnaire and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Five ACE categories significantly increased the likelihood of criminal justice involvement: sexual abuse (ORa = 1.9, 95 %CI [1.31–4.98]), physical abuse (ORa = 2.1, 95 %CI [1.44–2.65]), physical neglect (ORa = 2.2, 95 %CI [1.79–3.35]), collective violence (ORa = 2.8, 95 %CI [2.33–4.15]) and community violence (ORa = 3.3, 95 %CI [2.17–6.04]). The case group exhibited notably higher rates of mental health issues, particularly low self-esteem (9.3 % vs. 3 %, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that self-esteem significantly mediated the relationship between criminal justice involvement and four ACE categories, with sexual abuse showing the strongest mediation effect (44.1 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study emphasizes the need for preventive approaches to address childhood adversities and enhance self-esteem, which will then help reduce criminal behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107718"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Childhood maltreatment and somatic, depressive and anxiety symptoms among adolescents: A network analysis","authors":"Yunyun Zhao ,&nbsp;Cong Wang ,&nbsp;Ting Tang ,&nbsp;Min Li ,&nbsp;Lu Zhang ,&nbsp;Puyu Su ,&nbsp;Yuan Li ,&nbsp;Gengfu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107721","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107721","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study applied network analysis to identify central and bridging nodes linking somatic, depressive, and anxiety symptoms with childhood maltreatment among male and female adolescents.</div></div><div><h3>Background</h3><div>Adolescents, particularly those with a history of childhood maltreatment, are at an elevated risk for somatic, depressive, and anxiety symptoms. However, the complex interactions between these symptoms and maltreatment, as well as the potential influence of gender, remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>A multi-stage cluster sampling strategy was employed to conduct a questionnaire-based survey on childhood maltreatment, mental health, and somatic symptoms among 10,653 Chinese adolescents in 2023.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Network analysis was conducted utilizing the qgraph package in R Studio to identify central nodes and bridge nodes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant gender-based differences were observed in the network structure or overall network strength. Both males and females exhibited common central nodes—headaches, tired or low energy and emotional abuse—that were central to connecting childhood maltreatment and somatic, depressive, and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sleep disturbance, and trouble sleeping were identified as shared bridge nodes, serving as crucial connectors in the networks.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Central nodes such as headaches, tired or low energy and emotional abuse, along with bridge nodes like emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sleep disturbance, and trouble sleeping, emerge as critical elements. These nodes provide valuable insights for public health and represent potential intervention targets to reduce the mental and physical health burden in adolescents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107721"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations between threat and deprivation experiences and adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms: The roles of emotion regulation and identity problems","authors":"Jin Young Shin ,&nbsp;Jessica Rocha ,&nbsp;Carla Sharp ,&nbsp;Francesca Penner","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Childhood adversity, which can be conceptualized as dimensions of threat versus deprivation, is a robust risk factor for internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Emotion regulation difficulties and identity problems may be two explanatory variables by which threat and deprivation are linked to internalizing and externalizing psychopathology.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The present study tested whether emotion regulation difficulties and identity problems are significant mediators in associations between childhood experiences of threat and deprivation and adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>125 adolescents (<em>M</em> = 15.33 years old, 77.6 % female) recruited from an inpatient psychiatric hospital in the Southwestern United States. All consecutive admissions to the unit were approached for participation if eligible.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a cross-sectional observational study. Participants completed questionnaire measures at inpatient admission including the Youth Self Report, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence. Four sequential mediation models were tested.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Higher levels of emotion regulation difficulties and identity problems fully explained associations between threat (B = 0.13, 95 % CI = 0.05, 0.25) and deprivation (B = 0.23, 95 % CI = 0.11, 0.38) and adolescent internalizing symptoms. However, these indirect effects were not observed in models examining externalizing symptoms. There was a direct association between deprivation and externalizing symptoms (B = 0.64, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), but threat and externalizing symptoms were not indirectly or directly associated.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Emotion regulation difficulties and identity problems may be plausible mechanisms linking threat and deprivation experiences with later internalizing symptoms, but different associations were observed between threat and deprivation and externalizing symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107705"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Negative and positive childhood experiences with regard to prosocial intentions and interpersonal trust levels in a national sample of Poles: A network analysis","authors":"Marcin Rzeszutek ,&nbsp;Magdalena Grabowska ,&nbsp;Małgorzata Dragan ,&nbsp;Maja Lis-Turlejska ,&nbsp;Katarzyna Schier ,&nbsp;Joanna Kowalkowska ,&nbsp;Małgorzata Styśko-Kunkowska ,&nbsp;Ewa Malinowska ,&nbsp;Tomasz Osiński ,&nbsp;Kamilla Bargiel-Matusiewicz ,&nbsp;Barbara Sosińska ,&nbsp;Maria Ibisz ,&nbsp;Saadat Almazova ,&nbsp;Marcin Bagiński ,&nbsp;Szymon Szumiał","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107696","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Numerous studies showed that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have long-lasting and negative consequences on adult functioning. Conversely, the role of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) is still a highly understudied research area.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study was to investigate the distinct impacts of various types of ACEs and PCEs on prosocial intentions, as well as the interpersonal trust levels in a national sample of Poles while controlling for the number of lifetime traumatic events.</div></div><div><h3>Participants and setting</h3><div>A representative sample of Polish adults (<em>n</em> = 2231) took part in this study. The sampling procedure was designed to ensure that the demographic composition of the sample matched that of the general Polish population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>ACEs were assessed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, PCEs were evaluated with the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale, and the number of lifetime traumatic events was measured using the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5. Prosocial intentions were analysed with the dictator game paradigm, and the interpersonal trust was measured using the Interpersonal Trust Scale from the Social World Opinion Questionnaire.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Network analysis showed that ACEs were negatively related to prosocial intentions towards the closest family members, but at the same time, they were positively linked to altruistic tendencies towards strangers. In contrast, PCEs were positively associated with interpersonal trust among the participants.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our study makes an important contribution to childhood adversity and resilience research by focusing on complex and counterintuitive associations between negative and positive childhood experiences and important aspects of adaptive adult functioning – namely, prosocial intentions and interpersonal trust.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107696"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Computed tomography radiation dose optimization for the diagnosis of acute rib fractures in infants investigated for suspected physical abuse: An experimental animal study","authors":"Nasser M. Alzahrani ,&nbsp;Michael Paddock ,&nbsp;Annmarie Jeanes ,&nbsp;Marta C. Cohen ,&nbsp;Amaka C. Offiah","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Computed tomography (CT) of the chest has proven promising in improving rib fracture detection in children with suspected physical abuse (SPA). However, concerns regarding relatively higher radiation exposure make it less desirable in routine clinical practice.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the effect of varying CT scanning parameters (tube voltage and current) on radiation dose, image quality and diagnostic performance (i.e., sensitivity and specificity), and to optimize chest CT scanning parameters for the detection of acute rib fractures in infants with SPA.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following traumatic induction of rib fractures, five rabbits underwent post-mortem CT scanning at two centres using combinations of tube voltage (80 and 100 kV) with progressive 10 % reduction in tube current (mA) until 10 mA was reached. Two pediatric radiologists, blinded to the scan parameters, independently assessed subjective image quality using a 5-point Likert scale and recorded presence of acute undisplaced rib fractures. Linear regression between the readers' scores for image quality and effective dose (ED) was used to determine the imaging parameters providing the lowest ED with acceptable diagnostic image quality.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There was moderate agreement between readers for image noise (Centre 1, kappa (k) = 0.5; Centre 2, k = 0.45) and sharpness (Centre 1, k = 0.59; Centre 2, k = 0.55). The parameters with acceptable diagnostic image quality at Centre 1 were 80 kV/30 mA with an ED of 0.32 mSv and sensitivity and specificity of 93.5 % and 99.4 %, respectively, and at Centre 2 80 kV/40 mA with ED of 0.2 mSv and sensitivity and specificity of 84.3 % and 99.1 %, respectively, approaching the combined ED for initial and follow-up skeletal survey chest radiographs performed for SPA (0.14 mSv).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Low-dose CT (with ED approaching that of chest radiographs performed for SPA) may provide images of sufficient diagnostic quality to confidently diagnose rib fractures. Studies in children with SPA are required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107725"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dimensions of childhood trauma and identity disturbance in male adolescents: Examining affected experiences and mediating cognitive functions","authors":"Alireza Fallah Tafti ,&nbsp;Shahnaz Mohammadi ,&nbsp;Mojtaba Dehghan ,&nbsp;Mehdi Shahmaleki","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107720","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107720","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Childhood trauma is a major risk factor for identity disturbance, with evidence indicating that cognitive functioning may mediate these effects. Differentiating trauma types and their associated cognitive mediators can deepen understanding of identity development and may guide more effective therapeutic interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To explore how distinct dimensions of childhood trauma relate to identity disturbance, emphasizing the potential mediating role of cognitive functions.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>The sample comprised 311 male adolescents (<em>M</em>_age = 16.95 years) recruited through convenience sampling from high schools in Yazd, Iran.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Participants completed the <em>Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire, and Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence</em>. The study employed path analysis to test the proposed model.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Sexual abuse showed a direct effect on identity disturbance. Emotional neglect and physical abuse predicted identity disturbance both directly and indirectly through cognitive mediators, whereas physical neglect and emotional abuse influenced identity exclusively via cognitive mechanisms. Significant mediators included inhibitory control (β = 0.10, <em>p</em> &lt; .009), decision-making (β = 0.19, <em>p</em> &lt; .001), sustained attention (β = 0.07, <em>p</em> &lt; .003), and social cognition (β = 0.25, p &lt; .001). The model demonstrated adequate fit indices (CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.08).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The results highlight the complexity of identity formation pathways, with distinct patterns of association across trauma types and cognitive functions. By differentiating these domains within an underrepresented cultural context, this study enhances conceptual clarity and advances understanding of mechanisms linking trauma and identity disturbance, offering insights for future research and potential clinical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107720"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145245699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An introduction to twenty-five years of adverse childhood experiences: A special issue","authors":"N. Racine ,&nbsp;M.A. Bellis ,&nbsp;S. Madigan","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107224","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107224","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"168 ","pages":"Article 107224"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Behind the silence of undisclosed trauma: A social network study on support and well-being in the context of childhood sexual abuse","authors":"Kyra E. Verboon ,&nbsp;Iva A.E. Bicanic ,&nbsp;Peter Muris ,&nbsp;Bart Verkuil ,&nbsp;Bernet M. Elzinga ,&nbsp;Marie-Louise J. Kullberg","doi":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107702","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107702","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Disclosing childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is often an emotionally complex process, and one in three individuals remains silent about their experiences. While ample research has established the protective role of social support in relation to PTSD symptoms, its function in the context of unshared traumatic experiences, such as undisclosed CSA, remains poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examined (1) differences in social support and trauma-related symptoms between adults who disclosed CSA and those who did not, and (2) whether perceived social support and social network characteristics serve as protective factors against PTSD, particularly among non-disclosers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Participants were adults (<em>N</em> = 327) with a history of CSA, categorized as non-disclosers (no disclosure to anyone in their inner circle, <em>n</em> = 96), partial-disclosers (disclosed, but still a secret for some, <em>n</em> = 114), and full-disclosers (disclosed, no longer considered it a secret, <em>n</em> = 117). Participants completed a survey on PTSD symptoms, perceived support, and social network characteristics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results of the MANOVAs indicate that non-disclosers reported more severe PTSD symptoms, lower perceived support, and smaller social networks than partial- and full-disclosers (all <em>p-values</em> &lt; 0.01; multivariate <em>η</em>^<em>2</em> = 0.08–0.09). Regression analyses showed that higher perceived support (β = −0.40, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) and denser networks (β = −0.16, <em>p</em> = 0.010) were associated with fewer PTSD symptoms across all participants. Notably, perceived support was beneficial even among non-disclosers (β = −0.34, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings underscore the importance of social support and cultivating strong social networks even for individuals who have not (yet) disclosed CSA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51343,"journal":{"name":"Child Abuse & Neglect","volume":"169 ","pages":"Article 107702"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145214083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}