Early and long-term effects of child sexual abuse: An update.

Finkelhor, David·1990·Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

Abstract

Abstract New research on the impact of child sexual abuse generally confirms the conclusions of an earlier review article by Browne and Finkelhor and extends findings into a few new areas. For example, more studies are now available concerning the impact of abuse on boys, but they have not found consistent gender differences. Some longitudinal studies have also been completed; they show a decline in symptomatology in the months following disclosure. Two areas of controversy are also prominent. One concerns how to explain the relatively substantial percentages of sexually abused children in most studies who have no symptoms on current diagnostic measures. The second concerns whether posttraumatic stress disorder is a useful conceptual framework for understanding the findings on the impact of sexual abuse.

Cites (1)

  1. The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A conceptualization.
    Finkelhor, David, Browne, Angela · 1985 · American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

Show all 1 references

Cited by (26)

  1. Exposure to childhood sexual and physical abuse and adjustment in early adulthood
    Fergusson, David M., Boden, Joseph M., Horwood, L. John · 2008 · Child Abuse & Neglect
  2. Childhood Sexual Abuse and Psychiatric Disorder in Young Adulthood: II. Psychiatric Outcomes of Childhood Sexual Abuse
    FERGUSSON, DAVID M., HORWOOD, L. JOHN, LYNSKEY, MICHAEL T. · 1996 · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
  3. Accuracy of adult recollections of childhood victimization, Part 2: Childhood sexual abuse.
    Cathy Spatz Widom, Suzanne Morris · 1997 · Psychological Assessment
  4. Why children tell: a model of children’s disclosure of sexual abuse
    Goodman-Brown, Tina B, Edelstein, Robin S, Goodman, Gail S, Jones, David P.H, Gordon, David S · 2003 · Child Abuse & Neglect
  5. Complex trauma, complex reactions: Assessment and treatment.
    Courtois, Christine A. · 2004 · Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Early and long-term effects of child sexual abuse: An update. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1037//0735-7028.21.5.325
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Finkelhor, D. (1990). Early and long-term effects of child sexual abuse: An update. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1037//0735-7028.21.5.325

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