Psychological Trauma and the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA)

Childhood sexual abuse is a serious public health concern that affects millions of children and adolescents into adulthood.  This can have devastating and long-lasting consequences for the victims, affecting their psychological, physical, social, and economic well-being.

Childhood sexual abuse can cause severe psychological distress and difficulty in emotional regulation. Research has shown that childhood sexual abuse experiences are associated with an increased risk of developing various psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, substance use disorders, suicidal behaviour, etc.

Without the right support and care, these disorders can persist into adulthood and affect the quality of life of the person who has experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Childhood sexual abuse can also have negative impacts on the physical health of the survivors. Studies have found that adverse childhood experiences are linked to higher rates of chronic health problems, such as pain and fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal symptoms, gynaecological symptoms, cardiopulmonary symptoms, obesity, etc.

People who have experienced childhood sexual abuse often have increased use of healthcare services during adulthood. Stress can cause a huge effect on endocrine and immune systems resulting in abnormal cortisol levels and increased inflammation in the body. The person can be in a continual state of flight or fight which often affects their behaviour and the development of maladaptive coping strategies.

Childhood sexual abuse can have detrimental effects on the social and economic outcomes of the survivors. Research has shown that adverse childhood experiences are associated with lower levels of education, income, and employment in adulthood. Adverse childhood experiences can also impair the interpersonal relationships and sexual functioning of the survivors.

Childhood sexual abuse can also affect the parenting skills and attachment styles of the survivors, which can have implications for their children’s development and well-being. Moreover, childhood sexual abuse can have intergenerational effects, meaning that the offspring of survivors may inherit some of the biological and psychological consequences of their parents’ trauma.

St Martins’ approach towards Adverse Childhood Experiences

St Martins supports its residents who have experienced adverse childhood experiences through the use of a trauma-informed approach, which is a framework to address the consequences of trauma and support the healing process. This approach focuses on understanding the impact of trauma on the individual and providing support that is sensitive to their needs. Recognising the whole-life impact of past and present trauma on our residents and understanding their whole lived experience is essential to supporting them to achieve a measure of recovery. We encourage our residents to have psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT). These therapies have been found to decrease symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety and behavioural problems. It is important for us at St Martins to make the resident feel comfortable and in control of the disclosure process. Our referral and assessment processes are designed so that residents do not have to talk about this and the aim is not to re-traumatise residents. Ultimately, the right approach will depend on the individual needs of the resident and we go at a pace determined by the person.

Conclusion

Childhood sexual abuse is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can have profound and lasting effects on the survivors’ lives. Adverse childhood experiences can affect not only the individual but also their families and society at large. At St Martins, one of our core aims is to support our residents to deal with how their childhood trauma is impacting them on their current day-to-day lives. There are various interventions available for ACE survivors, such as psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and group therapy. These interventions aim to reduce the symptoms of trauma-related disorders, enhance coping skills, promote healing and recovery, and prevent negative outcomes. However, there is still a need for more research and resources to address the needs and challenges of ACE survivors.

Sources

• ACOG – https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2011/08/adult-manifestations-of-childhood-sexual-abuse
• Gov.uk – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-sexual-abuse-trauma-informed-care
• Psychology Today – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/protecting-children-sexual-abuse/202105/the-long-lasting-consequences-child-sexual-abuse
• Frontiers – https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.771511/full
• Psychology Today – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/somatic-psychology/201303/trauma-childhood-sexual-abuse
• Psychology Today – https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/somatic-psychology/201303/trauma-childhood-sexual-abuse
• NCTSN – https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/sexual-abuse/effects
• Frontiers – https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.771511/full