Pathways from childhood sexual abuse to sexual aggression victimization and perpetration in adolescence and young adulthood: a three-wave longitudinal study

Abstract

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been identified as a risk factor for later sexual aggression perpetration and vulnerability factor for sexual victimization. However, the use of cross-sectional designs, the focus on female victimization and male perpetration, and the lack of evidence from outside North America limit the existing knowledge base. Objective: The study was designed to examine pathways from CSA to sexual revictimization and sexual aggression perpetration after the age of consent. Method: A total of 588 university students in Germany (308 female) took part in a three-wave longitudinal study covering 23 months. At each wave (T1–T3), all participants completed measures of sexual aggression victimization and perpetration. Experiences of CSA were measured at T1. Results: The rate of CSA was significantly higher for women (20.8%) than for men (12.4%). Rates of sexual victimization for women were 60.9% at Time 1 (since age 14), 22.3% at Time 2 (since T1), and 17.4% at Time 3 (since T2). For men, the rates were 39.2% at Time 1, 15.9% at Time 2, and 14.1% at Time 3. Rates of sexual aggression perpetration for women were 10.6% at Time 1 (since age 14), 3.5% at Time 2 (since T1), and 3.6% at Time 3 (since T2). For men, the rates were 18.0% at Time 1, 6.2% at Time 2, and 3.8% at Time 3. The gender differences in victimization and perpetration were significant only at T1. CSA predicted higher odds of sexual aggression victimization and perpetration cross-sectionally at T1 and indirectly at T2 and T3 via T1. Gender did not moderate the associations. Conclusion: The results confirm previous findings of elevated rates of sexual aggression victimization and perpetration in adolescence and young adulthood in victims of CSA. The implications for understanding and preventing adverse sexuality-related outcomes of CSA are discussed.

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

“…The necessity of prevention is especially apparent given evidence for the intergenerational transmission of trauma, such that children of parents who were abused earlier in life are more likely to be sexually abused themselves (Widom et al, 2015). More broadly, CSA predicts greater likelihood of perpetrating sexual aggression in adolescence and young adulthood (Krahé et al, 2023). Some prevention programs work directly with children, often in school settings, aiming to increase children's knowledge of and skills for preventing CSA, although it is unclear if these methods successfully lead to prevention of abuse (Fryda & Hulme, 2015; Topping & Barron, 2009; Walsh et al, 2018).…”

Sex and gender in psychotrauma research

“…No significant differences in the network global strength were found, meaning that the associations between depression, anxiety, psychosis, and PTSD symptoms were similar between male and female participants. In addition, in their longitudinal study based on a large sample of university students with three data waves covering 23 months, Krahé et al ( 2023 ) showed that the associations with later sexual victimization and perpetration held for both female and male victims of CSA.…”

Causal and common risk pathways linking childhood maltreatment to later intimate partner violence victimization

“…Some studies report higher prevalence rates of IPV victimization in women than men, particularly more sexual abuse ( 20 - 22 ), while others report comparable estimates, particularly for physical abuse ( 23 , 24 ). What is noteworthy is that individuals exposed to maltreatment face heightened risk of IPV victimization and that this is true for different sexual orientations and sexes ( 12 , 25 - 27 ). Akin to maltreatment, IPV victimization increases psychiatric risk ( 28 , 29 ).…”