Relationship Between Sexual Abuse in Childhood and the Occurrence of Mental Illness in Adulthood: A Matched Case–Control Study in Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between exposure to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and the occurrence of mental illness in adulthood in Nigeria. An age- and gender-matched case-control study was conducted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, from January to March 2014. Cases were defined as individuals aged 18 to 60 years diagnosed with mental illness while controls were aged 18 to 60 years who did not have mental illness. The study had 304 subjects comprised of 152 case-control pairs. This case-control study showed a statistically significant association between exposure to CSA and occurrence of mental illness in adulthood (pair-matched odds ratio = 3.25, 95% CI = [1.70, 6.21]). The association between CSA and mental illness was still significant (adjusted odds ratio = 3.11, 95% CI = [1.67, 5.82]) after controlling for family functionality. A robust CSA prevention and treatment strategy that considers the victim and the perpetrator in Nigeria is hereby advocated. This could be achieved by the collaborative efforts of the government of Nigeria and non-governmental organizations.

Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria: A Systematic Review

“…Central anxiety), and behavioural difficulties (mistrust of others and missing from home) [15,16,17] Such experiences can also leave victims traumatised by unsavoury memories, which can truncate psychosocial development and impede educational careers [13,14].…”

“…Common forms of CSA reported were unwanted kissing, hugging, inappropriate touch to breasts and genitals, verbal threats, abuse and rape [22,23,27]. In addition, teenagers were forced to look at pornographic pictures, films, videotapes or magazines, to watch perpetrators exposing genitals and masturbating, coerced into full sexual intercourse, or experienced rape and vaginal or anal penetration [16,25,28]. All the studies found that perpetrators were usually men, mostly known to the victims either as relatives, friends or neighbours.…”

“…This review showed that CSA entails short-term and lifelong sequela for the individual, family and society, especially if left unrecognised or untreated [12,36]. Early trauma suffered by sexually abused children has been linked to multiple behavioural, psychiatric and mental problems, including substance abuse, anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide attempts [36,16]. This field requires further research given the high prevalence of CSA in Nigeria and the severe effects it has on victims' well-being, as well as the restrictive challenges professionals face in safeguarding them Ifayomi.…”

Typologies and Psychological Profiles of Child Sexual Abusers: An Extensive Review

“…Physical consequences of such abuse include injuries, unintended pregnancy, and genital infections [ 21 ]. Those who were sexually abused in childhood are more inclined to develop behavioural and psychological problems such as sleep disturbance, social-related difficulties, eating disorders, self-esteem issues, fear and anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Childhood sexual abuse also increases the risk of future abuse, where the victims are more likely to suffer from domestic violence in their adulthood [ 26 ].…”