Citation

De Champlain A, Tremblay-Perreault A, Hébert M. J. Child Sex. Abus. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10538712.2023.2184740

PMID

36861736

Abstract

The consequences associated with child sexual abuse are well known. However, factors exacerbating child behavior problems following sexual abuse (SA) deserve further attention. Self-blame following the abuse has been identified as a predictor of negative outcomes in adult survivors, however there is limited evidence regarding the impact of self-blame on consequences in child victims of sexual abuse. This study assessed behavioral problems in a sample of sexually abused children and tested the mediating role of children's internal blame attributions in the association between the parent's self-blame and the internalizing and externalizing difficulties of the child. A sample of 1066 sexually abused children between 6 and 12 years of age and their non-offending caregiver completed self-report questionnaires. Parents completed questionnaires related to the child's behavior following the SA and their own feelings of self-blame regarding the SA. Children completed a questionnaire assessing their level of self-blame.

RESULTS showed that parents' self-blame was associated with a higher level of self-blame in the child which, in turn, was linked to more child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. In addition, parents' self-blame was directly associated with a higher level of internalizing difficulties in children. These findings underscore the importance of considering the non-offending parent's self-blame in interventions aiming the recovery of child victims of SA.

Language: en

Keywords

parents; mediation; behavior problems; Child sexual abuse; self-blame