TY - JOUR PY - 2014// TI - Consequences of childhood sexual abuse for health and well-being: Gender similarities and differences JO - Scandinavian journal of public health A1 - Sigurdardottir, Sigrun A1 - Halldorsdottir, Sigridur A1 - Bender, Sóley S. SP - 278 EP - 286 VL - 42 IS - 3 N2 - AIMS: Analyse gender similarities and differences in the consequences of childhood sexual abuse for health and well-being. METHODS: Comparative analysis of 28 in-depth interviews with 14 purposefully chosen participants, seven women and seven men, who had experienced childhood sexual abuse; two interviews were conducted with each participant. RESULTS: The participants expressed a journey of deep and silent suffering which seems, for them, to be endless and almost unbearable. All of them have suffered from complex health problems since childhood. A gender difference was shown in the tendency of women to internalize their emotional pain while the men had a tendency to externalize it. CONCLUSIONS: It is important for health professionals to be aware of the symptoms and consequences of child sexual abuse in order to provide support, appropriate care and treatment for the survivors. Finally, preventive and long lasting public health measures have to be taken in order to prevent children from experiencing such serious trauma.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1403-4948 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1403494813514645 ID - ref1 ER -