ABSTRACT
A group of 115 female psychiatric in-patients and out-patients were studied, using a self-report questionnaire followed by interview, for evidence of childhood sexual activity with adults. About half of the sample reported some childhood sexual experience, ranging from full sexual intercourse to sexual suggestions. Future research should study the possible role of such experience in the genesis of subsequent psychiatric disorder.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse, Sexual/psychology , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Sexual Behavior , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Ambulatory Care , Child Abuse, Sexual/complications , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Mental Disorders/etiology , Middle Aged , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A total of 158 women presenting with clinical eating disorders have been investigated using a self-report questionnaire and subsequent interview concerning their recollections of sexual experiences with adults before the age of 16 and later adverse sexual experiences. About a third reported events in childhood and over half described some adverse experiences. It may be that these experiences are relevant to the subsequent illness in some cases, but greater certainty must await further research. In the meantime, inquiring about such matters would seem to be advisable in the assessment and therapy of eating-disordered patients.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Bulimia/psychology , Child Abuse, Sexual/psychology , Personality Development , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Adult , Anorexia Nervosa/diagnosis , Bulimia/diagnosis , Child , Child Abuse, Sexual/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Incest/psychology , Middle Aged , Parent-Child Relations , Personality Inventory/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Seventy-eight eating disordered patients were asked systematically about any history of adverse sexual experience. About two thirds gave such a history. The events reported were often distressing and significant to the subject. It is unclear what role such events play in the causation of later eating disorder.
