Child sexual abuse: emotional problems in boys, girls and adolescents

Abstract

A descriptive study based on a mixed methodology was conducted to determine the emotional problems experienced by sexually abused children and adolescents and the characteristics of the abuse in cases reported to the Center for the Protection of Children and Adolescents of Havana (CPNNA). The sample consisted of 10 children and adolescents. Psychometric techniques were applied. The results show that these emotional problems were depression and high anxiety, low self-esteem, and feelings of shame and stigmatization, with the presence of fear described by the vast majority of cases. The abusive behaviors addressed were sexual assault. A correlation was found between child sexual abuse and high levels of depression, low self-esteem, and feelings of shame and stigmatization.