Self-reported and agency-notified child sexual abuse in a population-based birth cohort

Ryan Mills; Steve Kisely; Rosa Alati; Lane Strathearn; Jake Najman

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.12.021

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Self-reported and agency-notified child sexual abuse in a population-based birth cohort

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Self-reported and agency-notified child sexual abuse in a population-based birth cohort

Ryan Mills, Steve Kisely, Rosa Alati, Lane Strathearn and Jake Najman

Journal of psychiatric research, Vol.74, pp.87-93

03/2016

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.12.021

PMCID: PMC4744520

PMID: 26774419

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Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been associated with many adverse psychiatric outcomes. However, most studies have relied on retrospective self-report of exposure to CSA. We set out to investigate the incidence of CSA in the same birth cohort using both retrospective self-report and prospective government agency notification, and examine the psychological outcomes in young adulthood. The primary outcomes were measures of DSM-IV diagnoses (CIDI-Auto) at age 21. The 21-year retrospective CSA questions were completed by 3739 participants. CSA was self-reported by 19.3% of males and 30.6% of females. After adjustment for potential confounders, both self-reported and agency-notified CSA were associated with increased odds of lifetime major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For the first time in a birth cohort, this study has shown the disparity between the incidence of CSA when measured by self-report and government agency notification. Despite this discrepancy, adverse psychiatric outcomes are seen when CSA is defined using either method. •Most studies of child sexual abuse (CSA) rely on retrospective self-report of CSA.•This birth cohort study also had prospective data on government CSA notification.•Most CSA that was self-reported in adulthood had not been notified to the authorities.•Adverse psychiatric outcomes occurred when the CSA exposure was defined either way.

Sexual abuse

Posttraumatic stress disorder

Mood/anxiety disorders

Child maltreatment

Epidemiology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Self-reported and agency-notified child sexual abuse in a population-based birth cohort
Creators: Ryan Mills - School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Department of Paediatrics, Logan Hospital, PO Box 4096, Loganholme DC, Queensland, 4129, Australia
Steve Kisely - School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 199 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
Rosa Alati - School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Level 2, Public Health Building, School of Public Health, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia
Lane Strathearn - Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
Jake Najman - School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Level 2, Public Health Building, School of Public Health, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of psychiatric research, Vol.74, pp.87-93
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.12.021
PMID: 26774419
PMCID: PMC4744520
NLM abbreviation: J Psychiatr Res
ISSN: 0022-3956
eISSN: 1879-1379
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/501100001794, name: University of Queensland
Language: English
Date published: 03/2016
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Record Identifier: 9984040355602771

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