Citation

Daignault IV, Hebert M. J. Child Adolesc. Trauma 2008; 1(4): 301.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1080/19361520802505693

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing the academic, cognitive, and social functioning of 50 Canadian French-speaking sexually abused girls (age 7 to 12 years). Contextual, personal, and family factors characterizing the environment of children postdisclosure were examined as potential predictors of outcomes 1 year later. The severity and duration of the abuse, exposure to other forms of victimization, and symptoms of dissociation were associated with outcomes over time in one or more of the three domains assessed. Personal variables were also identified as important protective factors, including younger age at disclosure, greater use of approach coping strategies, and children's involvement in structured extracurricular activities. Results are discussed in terms of clinical implications.

Keywords: child sexual abuse; school functioning; academic performance; social problems; cognitive skills; extracurricular activities; coping