The Lesser-Known Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

In previous posts, I’ve written about the effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) on survivors. This post outlines some lesser-known consequences of CSA that you may not be aware of. In addition, according to new studies, people who have been subject to CSA are more likely to experience physical and mental health effects than previously thought.

Globally, understanding the impact of CSA on health has historically been understudied compared to other risk factors on one’s health. For example, new research shows that the previously stated connection between an increased risk of alcohol use and an increased risk of self-harm are actually larger in magnitude and more extensive than previously suggested. Adult victims of CSA are four or five times more likely to have abused alcohol or illicit drugs. New research also found that survivors of CSA are twice as likely to smoke and be physically inactive.

Physical Consequences

Historically, researchers have considered the impacts of CSA to be confined to mental health issues and substance misuse. However, recent studies found that the physical health consequences of abuse are also substantial. Most noteworthy, patients with a record of childhood mistreatment (all types of childhood abuse and violence) were 42% more likely to develop asthma.

It was also found that across studies, adults who experienced CSA were more likely to report health problems such as:

• Poorer overall health
• Pain/fibromyalgia
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Obesity and other eating disorders
• Chronic and diffuse pain, especially abdominal or pelvic pain
• Lower pain threshold

Social Consequences

Researchers have also documented many negative social consequences of CSA, including:

• Relationship disruption (break-up/divorce)
• Dissatisfaction with their relationships
• Sexual unfaithfulness/promiscuity
• Increased sexual dysfunction

Some of this information has been known for quite some time but what has not been known are the socioeconomic consequences of CSA such as the fact that survivors of CSA were found to:

• Be three times more likely to be out of work due to sickness and disability
• Be 14% more likely to be unemployed
• Be less likely to go to, or graduate from college

Effects on Women Specifically

Depression, anxiety and anger are the most commonly reported emotional responses to CSA. However, the following gynecologic problems are all common among female survivors:

• chronic pelvic pain
• dyspareunia (difficult or painful intercourse)
• vaginismus (painful spasmodic contractions of the vagina)
• nonspecific vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
• and gastrointestinal disorders
• Female survivors are also less likely to have regular Pap smears and may seek little or no prenatal care

Sexual Effects on Women

Disturbances of desire, arousal and orgasm may result from the association between sexual activity, violation and pain. Female survivors are more likely to:

• Have had 50 or more intercourse partners
• Have had a sexually transmitted infection
• Engaged in risk-taking behaviors that put them at risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

In addition, early adolescent or unintended pregnancy and prostitution are associated with CSA.

Consequences for Men

Although the following effects of CSA can be common for both sexes, male victims seem to suffer more from them than female victims:

• Male survivors often become frightened of emotional connection and isolate themselves as adults.
• Sexually abused males often have difficulty distinguishing between sex, love, nurturance, affection, and abuse. They may often experience friendly interpersonal approaches as seductive and manipulative. On the other hand, they may not notice when they are being exploited.
• Believing sexual closeness is the way to feel loved but experiencing love as abuse, some male victims solve their dilemma by engaging in frequent, indiscriminate, and compulsive sexual encounters. Sex is pursued incessantly, but with little chance for intimacy. Instead they are left feeling empty and lonely.
• Although relatively few sexually abused boys become abusers, many men fear they’ll become abusive or worry that they if they disclose their history, others will consider them predators.
• For this reason and many others, such as fearing that the abuse made them gay or that others will think they are gay because they were abused, most male victims do not disclose the abuse and thus do not get the treatment, nor the support and compassion they need.
• For many, acknowledging victimization means admitting they are weak.

Sexual Abuse Essential Reads

Why Leering at Women’s Bodies Could Be a Warning Sign

Helping Practitioners Respond to Sibling Sexual Behavior

Sexual Effects for Everyone

In addition to there being new research, there are some consequences that have been known for quite some time among professional therapists but not necessarily to the general public. I wrote about these consequences in my latest book: Freedom at Last: Healing the Shame of Childhood Sexual Abuse. These include:

• Feeling disgust toward various parts of the body, such as the vagina or penis.
• Not wanting to be touched on parts of the body that were involved with the sexual abuse. For example, if the abuser touched your breasts you may not want to have your breasts touched.
• Not wanting to engage in sexual activities that remind you of the sexual abuse. For example, if the abuser penetrated you you may have a strong aversion to being penetrated but you may be okay with other sexual activities that the abuser did not engage in, such as oral sex.

Hopefully this information has helped you understand a loved one or yourself better and has encouraged you to seek help if needed. To find a therapist, please visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.