'We can be a family again, but different than before'. A single-case study on therapeutic interventions that initiated a recovery process in a family after the disclosure of sibling sexual behavior.

Disclosures of sibling sexual behavior (SSB) usually affect all family members but there remains, however, a paucity in studies on therapeutical family interventions and how they can initiate changes in families. This study was designed to explore relational impacts of SSB disclosures, goals for therapy and interventions that helped a family initiate the recovery process after a SSB disclosure. A single case study design was used to analyze a family's long-term therapy process. Data on this N = 1 study comprised 18 interviews with involved therapists, five interviews with involved family members, therapy files, and notes on family sessions. Data was analyzed using a thematic approach. Relational traumas were experienced in broken relationships, relationships under pressure and damaged trust between family members. Therapy goals were to (1) recreate family's safety, (2) help the family process the SSB consequences and (3) restore trust and search for relationship healing. Appropriate interventions to target the goals included individual-centered psycho trauma treatment as well as interventions for the parents, the involved siblings, and the uninvolved siblings, followed by sessions between the involved siblings and with the whole family. Therapy outcomes were found in reduced individual trauma symptoms, a recreated sense of family safety, the start of relational trauma processing, and newfound forms of sibling/family relationships. This study provides a unique and comprehensive insight into a family's healing process after SSB disclosures from the perspectives of both professionals and family members. The effective interventions identified in this study may provide tools for therapists working with these families. This study may also offer greater insights into both the abusive and mutual types of SSB.

Child sexual abuse versus adult sexual assault: A review of psychological and neurobiological sequelae.

Sexual trauma (ST) occurs with alarming frequency in the United States (U.S.) in the form of both childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adulthood sexual assault (ASA). It is well-established that the effects of ST are pervasive, and that ST can be a risk factor for the development of several psychiatric disorders. However, the potential for distinct psychological consequences or neural correlates between CSA and ASA has received little attention. Furthermore, despite the high prevalence of sexual revictimization, the combinatorial effects of CSA and ASA are understudied in comparison to each form of ST on its own. In the current review, we present results from both clinical psychology and neuroscience research on the impacts of CSA and ASA, describing major psychological, biopsychosocial, and neuroimaging findings for each form of ST. We further highlight limitations in the current state of the research and needed areas of future research to better understand the distinct, overlapping, and cumulative effects of ST in both childhood and adulthood. The present study summarizes the state of the literature on this critical form of trauma and provides recommendations for future clinical research practices to mitigate the deleterious outcomes of ST.

Effectiveness of school-based interventions on child sexual abuse knowledge in children with disabilities: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Children with disabilities (CWDs) constitute a substantial segment of the population who encounter abuse, emphasizing the need to comprehend the influence of school-based interventions on this susceptible group. AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of school-based interventions in enhancing child sexual abuse (CSA) knowledge among CWDs. PARTICIPANTS: This meta-analysis incorporated seven published studies, encompassing 387 CWDs. METHODS: Our study synthesizes findings from seven experimental and quasi-experimental studies, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. The study was registered in PROSPERO. The literature search, conducted between September 25, 2023, and October 2, 2023, employed various databases and keywords relevant to the study's scope. The research question and articles' eligibility were assessed using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study type (PICOs). The meta-analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. RESULTS: The school-based intervention greatly impacted CWDs' CSA knowledge scores (Hedges's g = 1.026 [95% CI: 0.845; 1.208], z = 11.074, p = 0.000). The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrate that Questionnaire/scale-based knowledge measurement (Hedges's g = 2.586 [95% CI: 0.920; 4.252], z = 3.043, P = 0.002) and Vignette-based knowledge measurement (Hedges's g = 1.065 [95% CI: 0.655; 1.474], z = 5.100, p = 0.000) are effective in assessing CWDs' knowledge of CSA. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled studies and quasi-experimental studies provide robust evidence supporting the effectiveness of school-based interventions in significantly enhancing CSA knowledge among CWDs. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: These findings are potentially significant evidence for education professionals, including educators and school health nurses.

Characteristics and Treatment of Cyberviolence Trauma in Children and Adolescents.

Cyberviolence is a new form of violence encompassing any online activity that results in harm to the psychological, emotional, financial, or physical well-being of an individual or group. These adverse activities often lead to serious offline and long-lasting negative impact, especially on children and adolescents whose development has not matured sufficiently. Therefore, it is more important for mental health professionals to be well informed about the rapidly evolving forms of cyberviolence and its risks and to respond appropriately. This article provides an overview of the concept and unique features of cyberviolence trauma in minors in South Korea while also examining ongoing efforts to explore and implement effective treatment programs. Cyberbullying and digital sexual abuse, the most common forms of cyberviolence experienced by minors in South Korea, are explored in detail. Additionally, this review proposes directions for future research and the efforts that clinicians should focus on.

Childhood sexual abuse and IL6 mediated by change in BMI over an 18-year period: A growth curve model.

BACKGROUND: Childhood sexual abuse can increase both body weight and inflammation later in life. Higher weight or faster changes in weight, as measured by changes in body mass index (BMI), may mediate the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and inflammation, however, most studies to date have used a cross-sectional design limiting causal inferences. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the interrelationships between childhood sexual abuse, BMI, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL6). PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data from 461 adults who participated in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study were utilized. METHODS: Growth curve modeling was used to test initial levels of BMI and changes of BMI over an 18-year period as mediators linking childhood sexual abuse to CRP and IL6. RESULTS: Sexual abuse was not significantly associated with the initial level of BMI; however, sexual abuse was associated with the slope of BMI (b = 0.072, p = .006). BMI intercept (b = 0.080, p = .001) and slope (b = 0.240, p = .002) predicted IL6 values whereas the slope of BMI (b = 0.398, p = .033) but not intercept predicted CRP values. The indirect effect from sexual abuse to IL6 through BMI slope was significant (b = 0.017, 95 % [CI.001, 0.033]) while the indirect effect from sexual abuse to CRP through BMI slope was not significant (b = 0.028, 95 % [CI -0.004, 0.061]). CONCLUSION: Childhood sexual abuse was indirectly associated with IL6 through rates of change in BMI over time.

Schools' readiness for child sexual abuse prevention education: Preliminary scale development using a Delphi method.

BACKGROUND: This study employed a Delphi method with a panel of experts to collaboratively design a new instrument to assess schools' readiness for school-based child sexual abuse prevention education. METHODS: An initial item pool was generated based on a review of existing empirical research and theoretical models. We invited researchers and stakeholders in the field of child sexual abuse prevention as experts to participate in a two-round online Delphi study in which they rated item importance and clarity, contributed their views on superfluous and/or missing items, gave rephrasing suggestions, and re-appraised revised items. Following the Delphi study, the instrument was pilot tested with a convenience sample of school staff. RESULTS: The initial item pool comprised 81 items in five construct sub-scales congruent with Wiener's Organizational Readiness for Change theory: contextual factors, informational assessment, change valence, change commitment, and change efficacy. In the Delphi study, 24 experts participated in round 1, and 13 participated in round 2. Based on Delphi study responses, the instrument was reduced to 56 items in the five construct subscales: contextual factors (28 items), informational assessment (13 items), change valence (6 items), change commitment (3 items), and change efficacy (6 items). The Schools' Readiness for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education (SR-CSAPE) was successfully pilot tested with school staff (n = 19) and minor changes to demographic items were incorporated. CONCLUSIONS: Informed by experts, the Schools' Readiness for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education (SR-CSAPE) is a newly-developed 56-item scale that identifies key organizational dimensions to schools' preparedness for CSA prevention education. Psychometric properties of the scale must be determined in future research.

Psychological intervention in women victims of childhood sexual abuse: a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

Introduction: Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe long-term consequences in victims. This study implements an intervention comprising two psychotherapeutic approaches recommended by the WHO and international clinical guidelines for addressing short-, medium-, and long-term posttraumatic symptomatology: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are adapted from group formats for implementation in small online groups via Zoom. Methods: The impact of both therapeutic approaches on trauma improvement was assessed in a sample of 19 women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse through a Randomized Clinical Trial comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy after a baseline period. Intra and inter comparison were made using statistics appropriate to the sample. Results: Both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced symptomatology across various evaluated variables, suggesting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for these individuals. Following CBT-FT treatment, patients exhibited enhanced emotional regulation, reduced reexperiencing, and avoidance. The EMDR group, utilizing the G-TEP group protocol, significantly improved dissociation, along with other crucial clinical variables and the perception of quality of life. Discussion: Although the limitations of this study must be taken into account due to the size of the sample and the lack of long-term follow-up, the results align with existing scientific literature, underscoring the benefits of trauma-focused psychological treatments. The online group format appears promising for enhancing the accessibility of psychological treatment for these women. Furthermore, the differential outcomes of each treatment support recent research advocating for the inclusion of both approaches for individuals with trauma-related symptomatology. Ethics and dissemination: The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valencian International University (VIU) (Valencia, Spain) (Ref. CEID2021_07). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the scientific community. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813224, identifier NCT04813224.

Adverse childhood experiences as precursors to cannabis use in adulthood: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with a history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are at risk of subsequent cannabis use. However, at present no existing systematic review explores ACEs as they relate to cannabis use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review paper is to examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact rates, patterns, and the nature of cannabis use in adulthood. METHODS: Guided by the PRISMA statement, this systematic review focuses on longitudinal studies that report cannabis use in adulthood. Databases searched include PubMed and Embase. RESULTS: Ultimately, 28 manuscripts were selected for inclusion, ranging in scope from smaller community-focused studies to nationally representative longitudinal surveys; 22 of 28 studies occurred in the United States, with sample size ranging from 303 to 15,960 participants. Instruments used to assess ACEs and cannabis use varied considerably across studies, leading to loss of consistency. Nevertheless, presence of ACEs-childhood sexual abuse in particular-was consistently associated with cannabis use later in life. Frequency and severity of ACEs was found to exert an additive cumulative effect on severity of cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review lays the foundation of the current state of the science regarding ACEs and cannabis use, which can provide further insight into a better understanding of this relationship and provide potential intervention opportunities.

Using an AI-based avatar for interviewer training at Children's Advocacy Centers: Proof of Concept.

This proof-of- concept study focused on interviewers' behaviors and perceptions when interacting with a dynamic AI child avatar alleging abuse. Professionals (N = 68) took part in a virtual reality (VR) study in which they questioned an avatar presented as a child victim of sexual or physical abuse. Of interest was how interviewers questioned the avatar, how productive the child avatar was in response, and how interviewers perceived the VR interaction. Findings suggested alignment between interviewers' virtual questioning approaches and interviewers' typical questioning behavior in real-world investigative interviews, with a diverse range of questions used to elicit disclosures from the child avatar. The avatar responded to most question types as children typically do, though more nuanced programming of the avatar's productivity in response to complex question types is needed. Participants rated the avatar positively and felt comfortable with the VR experience. Results underscored the potential of AI-based interview training as a scalable, standardized alternative to traditional methods.

Sleep, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems Among Youth Presenting to Treatment Following Sexual Abuse.

Research indicates that sleep problems are fairly common in childhood. However, the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and sleep problems and how sleep issues influence psychological symptoms in children presenting for treatment remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the presence of sleep problems and the association between sleep problems and psychological symptoms in youth presenting to treatment following CSA. Participants included 276 non-offending caregiver-child dyads at pre-treatment and 106 dyads at post-treatment. Youth were 6 to 19 years old and predominately female (82.9%). Caregivers were 23 to 72 years old and predominately female (87.4%). Youth and caregivers identified as predominately European American (76.6% and 86.0%, respectively). Results indicated that caregiver endorsement of a particular youth sleep problem (as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist sleep items) at pre-treatment ranged between 17.9 and 51.4%. Sleep problems were positively associated with psychological symptoms per caregiver- and youth self-report. Interestingly, a substantial proportion of youth reported decreased sleep problems at the end of treatment even though the treatment did not target sleep issues. This study highlights the commonality of sleep problems in children who experienced sexual abuse. Findings suggest that CSA interventions that do not directly address sleep may be missing a component that can contribute to successful recovery. The results provide preliminary evidence that sleep problems and mental health concerns among youth who experienced CSA are associated, indicating a need for further investigation into the association and potential implications for treatment. Other implications for future research and treatment following CSA are discussed.

The Impact of Training on Nurses' Attitudes Toward Reporting Child Sexual Abuse: a Pilot Study.

The purpose of this project is to assess, for practicing pediatric nurses in the U.S., what is the impact of the Stewards of Children Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) program on their attitudes about reporting suspected CSA. A sample size of 32 nurses completed an online 2-hour continuing education course by Stewards of Children, with a pre/post-test survey. A modified 14-item version of the Teachers Reporting Attitudes Scale for Child Sexual Abuse (TRAS-CSA) was used to measure the nurses' attitudes before and after educational training. The surveys were analyzed to assess changes in attitudes using two-tailed sign tests. Nurses' commitment to reporting CSA is high, even before training. Nurses' confidence in the system of reporting and in the response of authorities related to CSA increased after taking the Stewards of Children online course. While these results are limited in strength by low sample sizes and some null changes, they indicate that trainings like the Stewards of Children course can positively impact nurses' attitudes towards reporting CSA, particularly with regards to confidence in reporting, and therefore warrant further investigation into CSA training for nurses and its effects. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-023-00581-7.

Examining Parental Abilities to Recognize Sexual Grooming Behaviors of Child Sexual Abusers.

PURPOSE: Identifying sexual grooming behaviors holds potential to reduce the occurrence of child sexual abuse (CSA) and increase disclosure rates. Given the influential role parents play in CSA prevention and the lack of previous research examining parent-specific sexual grooming recognition abilities, this study examined both generalized adult (i.e., parent and nonparent) and parent special abilities to recognize sexual grooming behaviors as identified in the Sexual Grooming Model (SGM), as well as the relationship between reported confidence in recognition abilities and measured abilities. METHODS: The current study used an experimental vignette design among a sample of 420 parents and 445 nonparents to measure abilities to associate sexual grooming behaviors with CSA. Participants also rated how confident they felt in their abilities to recognize signs of sexual grooming. RESULTS: Parental status did not have a significant impact on sexual grooming recognition abilities. However, the sample as a whole (i.e., parents and nonparents combined) were more likely to recognize sexual grooming when presented with behaviors from all of the SGM's stages or behaviors related to desensitization to touch and sexual content. Participant confidence in their recognition abilities did not predict measured abilities. CONCLUSION: Regardless of parental status, the sample did not strongly associate sexual grooming behaviors with CSA perpetration except when behaviors related to sexual content and physical touch were presented. This suggests heightened associations of more overt sexual grooming behaviors with CSA. The discrepancy found between confidence and recognition abilities calls for targeted educational efforts to increase awareness in types of behaviors that may be indicative of abuse.

The Need for a Prevention Program for Child Sexual Abuse in Brazil: A Report of Shortfall Care to Pedophilia and its Critical Consequences.

From a case report of a person with pedophilic disorder, this paper focuses on the issue of pedophilia, child sexual abuse, and the need for specific prevention and treatment strategies in Brazil. It seems inevitable to increase awareness for this topic within the mental health care system to protect children and reduce the risk for sexual offense in individuals at-risk. This is a case report of an individual, known by medical-psychiatric and forensic facilities for a past history of patricide, who revealed his pedophilic fantasies and behavior belatedly. To assess a pedophilic disorder and screen for other paraphilic contents, a screening questionnaire and clinical interview were used during the patient hospitalization in 2020 for a proper evaluation of sexual history and past offending behaviors. A review of the literature on pedophilia prevention programs was also carried out. WW is a middle-aged man admitted to a psychiatric unit for a severe episode of major depressive disorder and at risk of suicide. During recovery, he reported pedophilic fantasies and behaviors in his life. Sexual fantasies involving children and actual sexual offenses have remained unknown to mental health professionals and unreported to legal authorities. WW's case alarmingly emphasizes the need for the training of health care professionals and for preventive strategies in Brazil for those who are at risk of engaging in offending sexual behaviors in a combined and intensive effort to protect children from sexual offense.

Unveiling Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure in China: An Ecological Exploration of Survivors' Experiences.

Through a thematic analysis of firsthand posts from 258 abuse survivors in online forums from 2016 to 2023, this research examines the barriers that Chinese children encounter when disclosing sexual abuse. The anonymous narratives shed light on the motives behind survivors' reluctance to reveal abuse, the outcomes following disclosure, and the wider implications for survivors and their families under culture. The findings underscore the need for early intervention upon disclosure, aiming to safeguard children from further harm and foster the development of an effective child protection framework.

Childhood Parental Neglect, Abuse and Rejection Among Transgender Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

We aimed to estimate the proportions of childhood parental neglect, abuse, and rejection and to evaluate the co-occurrence of these experiences among transgender women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample enrolled between July 2019 and March 2020, using an adapted version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Proportions and corresponding confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Kendall correlation with Tau-b estimator was used in the bivariate analyses. We gathered data from 139 participants. The most prevalent types of childhood traumas were emotional abuse (60.43%, 95% CI [51.79, 68.62]), physical abuse (57.55%, 95% CI [48.90, 65.89]) and sexual abuse (44.60%, 95% CI [36.18, 53.27]). Severe to extreme physical and emotional abuse occurred among 40.29% (95% CI [32.06, 48.93]) and 5.75% (95% CI [2.51, 11.02]) of participants, respectively. The proportion of parental rejection (eviction) was 32.37% (95% CI [25.04, 40.69]) and occurred with the other forms of abuse, except sexual abuse. Multiple types of childhood abuse, neglect, and parental rejection were observed among transgender women in our sample. The harmful effects of childhood abuse on the mental and physical health of people in the transgender population are of concern, particularly considering the cumulative effect produced by the co-occurrence of such events and their harmful lifetime effects. It is urgently necessary to debate and formulate public policies to ensure the right to gender expression from childhood.

A Longitudinal Examination of HIV Risk Perception Accuracy among Sexual Minority Men with History of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) with history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are at high risk for HIV acquisition. One reason is posttraumatic responses compromise ability to accurately appraise risk for danger/vulnerability. Health behavior change models and related interventions assume risk perception can be changed in an enduring manner. Given paucity of studies examining how risk perception changes or sustains over time post-intervention, this underlying assumption is not confirmed. Among this particularly high-risk group who struggle with perceiving risk due to trauma-related cognitions, it may be accuracy of risk perception is fluid. The study primarily aimed to examine accuracy of HIV risk perception over time post-HIV prevention behavioral intervention. Leveraging data from a larger RCT, N = 190 MSM in Boston, MA and Miami, FL USA completed a psychosocial baseline assessment, an intervention aimed to increase awareness of personal HIV risk level, then four follow-up assessments three months apart for a year. Linear mixed effect models were used to examine the degree to which accuracy of HIV risk perception (vs. traditional construct of risk perception with no information about accuracy) predicts sex risk behavior over time delineated by between-person (trait level) and within-person (state level) effects. Majority (92%) of participants fluctuated in HIV risk accuracy over time post-intervention. Within-person risk accuracy (one's accuracy at any given timepoint) predicted sex risk behavior (condomless sex not protected by adherent PrEP) over time, but not between-person (one's average of accuracy). Findings have implications for intervention and counseling related to specific HIV prevention strategies.

Online sexual abuse of children with disabilities: Analyzing reports of social workers' case files in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Online child sexual abuse (OCSA) is a growing social concern. However, its manifestations among children with disabilities (CWDs), who face an increased risk of sexual abuse, remain largely unexamined. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to fill this gap by examining professionals' perspectives of the OCSA of CWDs through their work at the 105 Hotline, an Israeli national call center that accepts queries and reports of the cyber victimization of minors. METHODS: A mixed methods research design was employed. A quantitative analysis was performed on 114 case files involving the OCSA of CWDs, followed by a thematic content analysis of 23 follow-up files by social workers. RESULTS: The quantitative findings revealed various characteristics of the survivors, their families, and OCSA. The qualitative analysis revealed that professionals indicate multiple interrelated risk factors for the OCSA of CWDs on three levels: child, related to the child's characteristics and disability traits; family, referring to familial complexities, parenting challenges, and socio-economic position; and relational, referring to the online abusive relationships between the perpetrator and the survivor. Furthermore, the online platform comprised characteristics that enhanced the risk of OCSA of CWDs. CONCLUSIONS: The understanding that the OCSA of CWDs as a compounded risk that encompasses personal and environmental risk dimensions is necessary and should guide all professionals' decisions and actions. There is also an urgent need for governmental and community efforts to develop measures, policies, and support systems to reduce OCSA risks for CWDs. Moreover, knowledge and interventions should be developed for professionals and parents of CWDs to improve the identification and response to this overlooked phenomenon.

[Dialectical behavioral therapy for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD): an evidence-based disorder-specific treatment program]. / Dialektisch behaviorale Therapie für komplexe posttraumatische Belastungsstörung (DBT-PTBS): ein evidenzbasiertes störungsspezfisches Behandlungsprogramm.

Dialectical behavioral therapy for complex posttraumatic stress disorders (DBT-PTSD) is a modular treatment program that was developed at the Central Institute for Mental Health at the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 2005-2021. DBT-PTSD is designed to meet the needs of patients with complex PTSD related to sexual or physical trauma in childhood and adolescence. It is specifically designed for patients suffering from severe emotional dysregulation, persistent self-injury, chronic suicidal ideation, severe dissociative symptoms and a markedly negative self-concept with a high level of guilt, shame, self-loathing and interpersonal problems. To address these different core symptoms, DBT-PTSD combines evidence-based therapeutic strategies: principles, rules, and skills of DBT, trauma-specific cognitive and exposure-based techniques, imaginative interventions and procedures for behavioral change. The treatment program is designed to be carried out in an outpatient (45 weeks) or residential (12 weeks) setting. The results from two randomized controlled trials showed large effect sizes across very different symptom domains and a significant superiority of DBT-PTSD over Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Based on these results, DBT-PTSD is currently a promising evidence-based treatment program for all features of a complex PTSD after sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence.

Coping strategies and psychological resilience of parents with children victimized of sexual abuse: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the coping strategies and psychological resilience of parents of children who are victims of sexual abuse. METHODS: The study's sample was compiled from parents of sexually abused children admitted to the Child Advocacy Centre for forensic interviews in a Northern Turkish province (N = 75). Data were collected from May to September 2022. A cross-sectional design was used to assess psychological resilience and coping skills. The Introductory Information Questionnaire, the Strategies for Coping with Family Stressors Scale, and the Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults were administered verbally during individual interviews. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. RESULTS: According to the results, the psychological resilience and coping skills of parents played a significant role, particularly concerning touch-based abuse, a single occurrence of abuse, and the absence of family violence. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between coping skills with stressors and psychological resilience (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, empowering parents of children exposed to abuse proves crucial for reducing the traumatic impact on the victimized child. Further research, identifying risk factors for both the child and the family, and strategizing follow-up, educational, and counseling initiatives can enhance the provision of holistic health services in this context. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: This study emphasizes the need to restructure issues of not only trauma in children who are victims of sexual abuse but also coping skills and psychological resilience in parents within nursing approaches aimed at children who are victims of sexual abuse.

False memories in forensic psychology: do cognition and brain activity tell the same story?

One of the most important problems in forensic psychology is the impossibility of reliably discriminating between true and false memories when the only prosecution evidence comes from the memory of a witness or a victim. Unfortunately, both children and adults can be persuaded that they have been victims of past criminal acts, usually of a sexual nature. In adults, suggestion often occurs in the context of suggestive therapies based on the belief that traumatic events are repressed, while children come to believe and report events that never occurred as a result of repeated suggestive questioning. Cognitive Researchers have designed false memory paradigms (i.e., misinformation effect, Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm, event implantation paradigm) to first form false memories and then determine whether it is possible to reliably differentiate between false and true memories. In the present study, we review the contribution of cognitive research to the formation of false memories and the neuropsychological approaches aimed to discriminate between true and false memories. Based on these results, we analyze the applicability of the cognitive and neuropsychological evidence to the forensic setting.