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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Most People who were Sexually Abused in Childhood Develop Severe Personality Disturbances in Adulthood. Kylie Parker Professor Darrell Smith Kilgore College PSYC February 11, 2024
2 Abstract The essay examines the long-lasting effects of childhood sexual abuse on the development of personality problems in adults. This study examines the purpose of examining this subject matter, whether it is to offer knowledge, express specific ideas, or support a hypothesis. The article aims to clarify the topic, examine its impact on individuals, assess rigorous research from peer-reviewed publications, and provide effective strategies for tackling this societal issue. The essay provides a thorough analysis and synthesis of information, revealing the complex nature of childhood sexual abuse and its profound influence on the psychological health of adulthood.
3 Most People who were Sexually Abused in Childhood Develop Severe Personality Disturbances in Adulthood. Early childhood sexual abuse is traumatic and painful. Childhood sexual abuse has acute and long-term effects. Childhood sexual abuse causes long-term emotional, physical, and psychological damage. Childhood sexual abuse victims typically face lifelong victimization. The length, intensity, details, support networks, age, and psychological resources of the victim all affect the repercussions of childhood sexual abuse (Reingold & Goldner, 2023). Sexual abuse in childhood may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and drug misuse in adulthood. Such events may also lead to eating disorders, borderline personality disorder (BPD), trust difficulties, self-harm, and interpersonal troubles (Reingold & Goldner, 2023). Most children who were sexually abused have serious mental health issues as adults. The objective of this study is to examine the significant and long-lasting effects of childhood sexual abuse on alterations in adult personality. The problem aims to communicate the significant impact of childhood trauma on the psychological well-being of adults, rather than only imparting information. The research seeks to investigate the complex characteristics of psychological trauma and advocate for the use of suitable treatments to address the needs of survivors. Childhood sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual conduct placed on a child by an adult or older adolescent. The ramifications of such trauma could show in numerous ways, including but not limited to, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation, self-harm, substance addiction, and personality difficulties. The disturbances often
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4 occur as a consequence of the violation of trust, loss of innocence, and betrayal experienced by the victim, leading to substantial disruptions in emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships (O'Leary et al., 2020). Childhood sexual abuse is a distressing incident that may have substantial psychological, emotional, and physical consequences in adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse may lead to the development of severe personality problems in adults, which can be linked to several circumstances. Research has shown that childhood sexual abuse may lead to personality issues that persist into adulthood, although with varying levels of intensity (O'Leary et al., 2020). The diverse effects of childhood sexual abuse may be ascribed to several factors, such as the victim's psychological resources, age at the time of abuse, kind of abuse, availability of a support system, and the severity of the abuse. Sexual abuse is a very significant kind of child maltreatment that has significant effects on people, their families, and society as a whole. Mitchell et al. (2021) maintains that the effects of sexual abuse might appear immediately or persistently, and their appearance can vary depending on the kind of abuse, the age of the victim, the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, and other factors. Sexual abuse comprises several forms of sexual violence, including rape, child molestation, incest, and sexual harassment. These phenomena may impact persons of either gender, irrespective of their age, race, or religious beliefs. Moreover, it may occur in partnerships involving both opposite-sex and same-sex partners. The survivor of sexual assault may experience a plethora of detrimental consequences (Krahé & Berger, 2022). Following the encounter, people may have physical injuries, psychological suffering, and the acquisition of sexually transmitted illnesses. Over time, individuals who have experienced sexual abuse have an increased susceptibility to developing mental health conditions, including anxiety,
5 depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Krahé & Berger, 2022). However, the presence of childhood sexual abuse does not always lead to significant personality disturbances in adulthood. While it is true that some persons who have undergone childhood sexual abuse may develop substantial disturbances in their psyche, the majority do not. Various factors may impact the probability of persons who have had childhood sexual abuse having substantial disturbances in their personality throughout maturity. According to Gonzalez (2023), these characteristics include the severity of the abuse, the age of the victim at the time of the abuse, the relationship between the abuser and the victim, and the support services available to the victim after the abuse. It is crucial to remember that each individual responds to sexual assault in a unique way (Gonzalez, 2023). Adults who have endured childhood sexual abuse may display diverse degrees of functioning, with some individuals seeming to adapt well while others have difficulties pertaining to their psychological well-being. Hence, it is not intrinsically true that experiencing sexual abuse from infancy would always lead to substantial disturbances in one's psyche throughout adulthood. In conclusion, childhood sexual abuse may severely impact adult mental health and personality. A systematic evaluation of peer-reviewed publications has shown the complex link between childhood trauma and adult mental functioning. Early intervention, trauma-informed therapy, and support for childhood sexual abuse survivors are essential. By recognizing and addressing the causes of trauma and providing comprehensive support, we can help survivors heal and become stronger, improving outcomes for individuals and society. The research suggests that society needs knowledge, support, and action to address the pervasive impact of childhood sexual abuse on adult personality problems. Understanding, empathy, and empirically
6 based therapy may provide a supportive and all-encompassing environment for survivors to heal and thrive.
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7 References Gonzalez, C. (2023). Recovering process from child sexual abuse during adulthood from an integrative approach to solution-focused therapy: A case study.  Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 26 (7), 785-805.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2023.1354954 Krahé, B., & Berger, A. (2022). Gendered pathways from child sexual abuse to sexual aggression victimization and perpetration in adolescence and young adulthood.  Child Abuse & Neglect 63 , 261-272.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.10.004 Mitchell, J. M., Becker-Blease, K. A., & Soicher, R. N. (2021). Child sexual abuse, academic functioning and educational outcomes in emerging adulthood.  Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 30 (3), 278-297.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2020.1847228 O'Leary, P., Coohey, C., & Easton, S. D. (2020). The effect of severe child sexual abuse and disclosure on mental health during adulthood.  Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 19 (3), 275-289.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10538711003781251 Reingold, O. H., & Goldner, L. (2023). “It was wrapped in a kind of normalcy”: The lived experience and consequences in adulthood of survivors of female child sexual abuse.  Child Abuse & Neglect 139 , 106125.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106125