The Psychosocial Consequences of Child Sexual Abuse in Ethiopia: A Case-Control Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) continues to be a pressing public health concern around the globe. Few existing reports, however, indicate the alarming rate at which the problem is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study is designed to investigate the psychosocial consequences of sexual abuse among child survivors in Ethiopia who were abused mainly through early marriage, rape, and child prostitution. Data are collected from 318 such CSA survivors-and 318 matched, non-sexually abused, normal controls- using the Children's Impact of Traumatic Events Scale-Revised and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results reveal the CSA survivors to be significantly more symptomatic than the control group: They demonstrated a lower degree of social support, a lower degree of empowerment, as well as a higher degree of guilt and increased likelihood of viewing the world as dangerous. Finally, these CSA survivors show a lower degree of positive self-worth than their non-sexually abused counterparts. These findings have important implications for the formulation of appropriate preventions and interventions to be undertaken by various stakeholders ranging from family to policy makers.

Incidence of Self-Esteem Among Children Exposed to Sexual Abuse in Kenya

“…Over (75%) of the participants had average scores of self-esteem while (6.3%) had low self-esteem scores at baseline. The findings are consistent with Wondie et al’s (2011) study among sexually abused child survivors in Ethiopia, which found that sexually abused children had a lower degree of self-worth. Similarly, the findings of the current study are consistent with a study done in India among rural adolescent girls who had average and low self-esteem (Nagar et al 2008).…”

“…A study was conducted by Wondie et al (2011) among 318 sexual abuse survivors in Ethiopia, using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the findings indicated that the abused children had a lower degree of self-worth compared to non-abused children. Also Burack et al (2006) found that maltreated children had lower self-worth and depression than their peers, which led to self-harm, risk taking behaviors and poor performance in school.…”

Risk and Protective Factors for Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children and Adolescents in Africa

“…These include a greatly increased risk of revictimization (Ibanga, 2011; Jewkes, Levin, Mbananga, & Bradshaw, 2002), increased risk of HIV infection and poor physical health (Jewkes, Dunkle, Nduna, Jama, & Puren, 2010; Reza et al, 2009), higher child death rates (Mathews, Abrahams, Jewkes, Martin, & Lombard, 2012), and exposure to transactional sex (Cluver, Orkin, Boyes, Gardner, & Meinck, 2011; Peltzer & Pengpid, 2008). In addition, there are similar outcomes of abuse as those found in the West, such as delinquency, substance abuse (Brown et al, 2009; Jewkes et al, 2006; Morojele & Brook, 2006), depression, and suicide (Cluver, Gardner, & Operario, 2009; Fincham, Altes, Stein, & Seedat, 2009; Frank-Briggs & Alikor, 2010; Oladeji, Mkanjoula, & Gureje, 2010; Wondie, Zemene, Tafesse, Reschke, & Schröder, 2011). However, these may have even more severe consequences for children in Africa due to low levels of access to mental health and social services (WHO, 2011b).…”

Child injuries in Ethiopia: A review of the current situation with projections

“…The prevalence of child sexual abuse was high (68.7%), among which verbal harassment filled most part (51.4%), followed by sexual intercourse (18%), and unwelcome kissing (17.1%). [ 10 ] Most of the victims are under 15 years of age and experienced psychological problems after being abused such as suicide, low degree of positive self-worth and sexual dysfunction [ 10 – 14 ]. Hospitals only focused on the physical healing while these psychological problems are often ignored [ 11 ].…”