The Amsterdam Sexual Abuse Case: What Scars did it Leave? Long-Term Course of Psychological Problems for Children Who have been Sexually Abused at a Very Young Age, and their Parents

Abstract

Longitudinal research of CSA in infancy and early childhood is scarce. The current study examined the long-term course of psychological outcomes (PTSD, dissociation and internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems) in children who were sexually abused in the early childhood. Additionally, we looked into the outcomes for their parents by assessing PTSD symptoms and negative emotional reactions towards the sexual abuse of their child. We examined the outcomes for five consecutive years in a sample of children (n = 45) who were sexually abused at a very young age (0–3) and their parents (n = 42), included in the Amsterdam Sexual Abuse Case-study. We found that outcomes following CSA in early childhood go beyond PTSD symptoms and can manifest in atypical symptoms such as behavioral problems. Parents experienced persistent PTSD in the years following CSA disclosure. CSA in very young children warrants long-term monitoring, as negative outcomes still present 8 years later.

Maltreatment in Daycare Settings: A Review of Empirical Studies in the Field

“…One of the manuscripts included in this review is a proposed research project that concerns the Amsterdam Sexual Abuse Case (ASAC) (Lindauer et al, 2014). Since then, six papers have been published under this project, all studying one sample of children who were sexually abused by a professional at a daycare center (i.e., the ASAC) (Tsang et al, 2021; van Duin et al, 2018, 2022; Vrolijk-Bosschaart, Brilleslijper-Kater, Widdershoven, Teeuw, Verlinden, Voskes, van Duin, Verhoeff, Benninga, et al, 2017; Vrolijk-Bosschaart, Brilleslijper-Kater, Widdershoven, Teeuw, Verlinden, Voskes, van Duin, Verhoeff, de Leeuw, et al, 2017; Vrolijk-Bosschaart et al, 2019). Therefore, we will consider these six papers as one study that concerns one sample (for more information, please see Lindauer et al, 2014).…”

“…Overall, 18 studies recruited samples from daycare centers (72%; Atten & Milner, 1987; Brendgen et al, 2006; Brendgen, Wanner & Vitaro, 2007; Brendgen, Wanner, Vitaro, Bukowski, et al, 2007; Burgess et al, 1996; Burgess & Hartman, 2005; Crick et al, 1999; Duncan, 1999; Kelley, 1990; Khoury-Kassabri et al, 2014; Margolin, 1991; Shin & Kim, 2008; Tsang et al, 2021; van Duin et al, 2018, 2022, Vrolijk-Bosschaart, Brilleslijper-Kater, Widdershoven, Teeuw, Verlinden, Voskes, van Duin, Verhoeff, Benninga, et al, 2017; Vrolijk-Bosschaart, Brilleslijper-Kater, Widdershoven, Teeuw, Verlinden, Voskes, van Duin, Verhoeff, de Leeuw, et al, 2017; Vrolijk-Bosschaart et al, 2019). Of the daycare center samples, most consisted of parents of children who had been abused in daycare settings, to assess their children’s and their own outcomes following the abuse ( k = 8; 32%; Burgess et al, 1996; Burgess & Hartman, 2005; Kelley, 1990; Margolin, 1991; Tsang et al, 2021; van Duin et al, 2018, 2022; Vrolijk-Bosschaart et al, 2019). Of these, Vrolijk-Bosschaart et al (2019) also retrospectively analyzed children’s interviews after the abuse.…”

“…Covered by 48% of studies included in this review, the most focused topic was outcomes of maltreatment in daycare settings ( k = 12; Brendgen et al, 2006; Brendgen, Wanner & Vitaro, 2007; Brendgen, Wanner, Vitaro, Bukowski, et al, 2007; Burgess et al, 1996; Burgess & Hartman, 2005; Kelley, 1990; Kelley et al, 1993; Tsang et al, 2021; van Duin et al, 2018; Vrolijk-Bosschaart, Brilleslijper-Kater, Widdershoven, Teeuw, Verlinden, Voskes, van Duin, Verhoeff, Benninga, et al, 2017; Vrolijk-Bosschaart, Brilleslijper-Kater, Widdershoven, Teeuw, Verlinden, Voskes, van Duin, Verhoeff, de Leeuw, et al, 2017; Vrolijk-Bosschaart et al, 2019). Of these, 58.3% ( k = 7) studied the outcomes of children who were abused, one (88.3%) studied the outcomes of parents whose children were abused, and four (33.33%) studied the outcomes of both.…”

“…Out of the studies included, 11 used previously validated questionnaires (44%; Atten & Milner, 1987; Brendgen et al, 2006; Brendgen, Wanner & Vitaro, 2007; Brendgen, Wanner, Vitaro, Bukowski, et al, 2007; Burgess et al, 1996; Crick et al, 1999; Kelley, 1990; Khoury-Kassabri et al, 2014; Shin & Kim, 2008; Tsang et al, 2021; van Duin et al, 2018). Of these validated questionnaires, three measured aspects concerning abuse in daycare settings.…”

“…These questionnaires included the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (Milner et al, 1986), Teachers' Likelihood of Using Corporal Punishment with Children (Benbenishty et al, 2002;Khoury-Kassabri, 2012), and the Attitudes Toward the Use of Corporal Punishment to Discipline Children questionnaire (Khoury-Kassabri, 2012). Four studies used validated questionnaires to assess psychological outcomes of sexual abuse in daycare settings both for the parents and children (Burgess et al, 1996;Kelley, 1990;Tsang et al, 2021;van Duin et al, 2018). These questionnaires included the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV Child Version, Parent Interview Schedule (Silverman & Albano, 1996), Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale, Parent Version 13 (Children and War Foundation, 1998), Child Dissociative Checklist (Putnam et al, 1993), Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (Friedrich et al, 1992), Child Behavior Checklists 1½-5 and 6-18 (Achenbach et al, 2001;Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000), Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventories 2-5 and 6-12 (Polderman & Kellaert-Knoll, 2008;Spruit et al, 2018), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (Weiss, 2007), Parent Emotional Reaction Questionnaire (Cohen & Mannarino, 1996), Experiences in Close Relationships (Brennan et al, 1998), and SCL-90-R (Derogatis & Savitz, 1999).…”