Citation

Ensink K, Berthelot N, Bégin M, Maheux J, Normandin L. Child Abuse Negl. 2017; 69: 116-124.

Affiliation

Université Laval, École de Psychologie, pavillion Félix-Antoine-Savard, 2325, rue des Bibliothèques, Québec, (Québec), G1V 0A6 Canada. Electronic address: lina.normandin@uqtr.ca.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.04.017

PMID

28456066

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate, using structural equation modeling, a theoretical model in which dissociation is a core process mediating the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and internalizing, externalizing, and sexualized behaviour difficulties in children. A total of 290 children aged 2-12 participated in this study in Québec, Canada from 1998 to 2004, including 138 children with histories of CSA and 152 non-abused children. To assess child dissociative symptoms, internalizing and externalizing difficulties, as well as sexualized behaviour difficulties, the Child Dissociative Checklist, the Child Behaviour Checklist and the Child Sexualized Behaviour Inventory were completed by parents. Dissociation mediated the relationship between CSA and internalizing, externalizing, and sexualized behaviour difficulties, with the model explaining respectively 42.5%, 49.9% and 33.9% of the variance of these difficulties.

FINDINGS are consistent with a model where dissociation is a common pathway linking CSA and child psycho-sexual difficulties.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Children; Dissociation; Externalizing; Internalizing; Sexual abuse; Sexualized behaviour