Men's childhood sexual abuse histories by one-parent versus two-parent status of childhood home

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the association between number of parents in the childhood home and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) with adjustment for childhood socioeconomic status (CSES). Methods: Probability sample of 298, 18-49-year-old men from Philadelphia County, number of parents living in childhood home, socioeconomic data and CSA histories were obtained. Results: 197 (66%) men participated. 186 (94%) of these lived with at least one parent; 76 (39%) and 110 (56%) lived with one parent versus two parents, respectively. 22 (29%) of 76 and 18 (16%) of 110 reported CSA histories, respectively (OR 2.08, p = 0.04). Two approaches to adjustment for CSES indicated continued association between parent number and CSA (OR 2.38-2.39, p = 0.05-0.07). Parent number was associated with numerous differences in CSA perpetrator characteristics and abuse experiences. Men from one-parent versus two-parent families reported significantly more non-family and female perpetrators (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively) and fondling experiences (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Findings provide additional support for the association between parent number and CSA in boys, suggesting that parent number is not just a proxy for CSES. CSA experiences also differed between one-parent and two-parent homes. Findings generate numerous hypotheses for future study.

Childhood Trauma, Parental Death, and Their Co-occurrence in Relation to Current Suicidality Risk in Adults

“…Previous studies have also revealed that child maltreatment and abuse occur more frequently in single-parent, adoptive, and stepfamily households than in biological families (Holmes, 2007;van Ijzendoorn et al, 2009). Previous studies have also revealed that child maltreatment and abuse occur more frequently in single-parent, adoptive, and stepfamily households than in biological families (Holmes, 2007;van Ijzendoorn et al, 2009).…”

Factitious disorder (Munchausen's syndrome) in oncology: case report and literature review

“…Was the history of sexual abuse by both parents true? Two‐parent sexual abuse is rare compared with the more frequent pattern of a related male predator. The patient had no visitors in hospital and listed no next of kin in the medical record.…”

Male Survivor Perceptions of Seeking Support: Hermeneutic Analysis of a Cluster Case Study

“…As with girls, perpetrators are mostly known to the victim and perpetrators can be multiple in number. A high risk of onset of abuse occurs around age ten, however abuse of boys can occur at any age Holmes, 2007;Kia-Keating et al, 2005). Because of the nature of male under-reporting it is difficult to estimate the actual levels of male CSA.…”

“…The admission of problems can be interpreted as incompetence and seeking support from others construed as simulating a feminine personality trait (Garfield, Isacco, & Rogers, 2008). Males, as western culture emphasizes, are supposed to be able to protect themselves Easton, Saltzman, & Willis, 2014;Holmes, 2007;Kia-Keating et al, 2005). Even more undermining of seeking support, is the gender stereotype of males as sexually aggressive.…”

“…Officials, such as, child protection workers, can also subscribe to beliefs that minimize the prevalence or negative effects of CSA for men (Spataro, Moss & Wells, 2001). These beliefs can make officials less likely to substantiate cases of CSA involving men as victims (Easton, Saltzman, & Willis, 2014;Holmes, 2007;Kia-Keating et al, 2005) as well as undermine the delivery of services to male survivors and their families (Agar & Read, 2002). Clinicians may also hold similar biases that hinder identification, assessment, and treatment of CSA in male clients (Easton, Saltzman, & Willis, 2014;Holmes, 2007).…”