TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1998//
TI  - Professional help sought for emotional problems: coping with child sexual abuse in a Dunedin community sample of women
JO  - New Zealand medical journal
A1  - Morris, E. M.
A1  - Martin, J. L.
A1  - Romans, Sarah E.
SP  - 123
EP  - 126
VL  - 111
IS  - 1063
N2  - AIM: To investigate how often women reporting child sexual abuse obtain professional help for emotional reasons compared with non-abused women and how useful they find it. METHOD: In a follow-up survey of a random community sample of women, information on formal help for emotional problems was analysed by demographic, health status and abuse information. RESULTS: In the year prior to survey, 11.8% of women in this community sample sought professional help for emotional problems. Women in the child sexual abuse sub-sample were significantly more likely than the comparison sub-sample to have sought help (16.6% vs 7.3%) but marital status (separation) was a more significant predictor. Problematic relationships or depression were the reasons given most often for help-seeking. Therapists/counsellors and general practitioners were the health professionals most often approached. Most help-seekers thought the help useful but some child sexual abuse help-seekers did not. The child sexual abuse sub-sample were more likely to report cost as a barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Relationship difficulties and depression are the most common reasons for seeking professional help for emotional problems. Women giving a history of child sexual abuse have higher rates of formal help-seeking and are more likely than other women to report that help they receive is not useful.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0028-8446
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -