Sexual Abuse as a Factor in Eating Disorders

1991 ◽  
Vol 159 (5) ◽  
pp. 664-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Waller
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Clinical Interview ◽  
History Of ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Unwanted Sexual Experience

Clinicians have reported a link between sexual abuse and eating disorders, but research evidence to date has been equivocal in supporting that link. This study presents data on reported sexual abuse from 67 anorexic and bulimic patients. Bulimics were substantially more likely to report a history of unwanted sexual experience than anorexics. The method used (clinical interview v. questionnaire) did not affect reported rates of abuse. It is suggested that sexual abuse per se may not cause eating disorders, but may determine the nature of those disorders when they have been prompted by other factors.

Sexual Abuse and the Severity of Bulimic Symptoms

1992 ◽  
Vol 161 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Waller
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Clinical Series ◽  
Bulimic Symptoms ◽  
History Of ◽  
Bulimic Women ◽  
Unwanted Sexual Experience

In a clinical series of 40 bulimic women, a reported history of unwanted sexual experience was associated with more frequent bingeing and (to a lesser extent) vomiting. These symptoms were more marked when the abuse was intrafamilial, involved force, or occurred before the victim was 14 years old. Further research is required to establish the causal links between the phenomena of sexual abuse and bulimic symptoms.

Is there a Relationship between Sexual Abuse or Incest and Eating Disorders?

1986 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 656-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Sloan ◽  
P. Leichner
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Early History ◽  
Eating Disordered ◽  
Sexual Conflicts ◽  
History Of

The significance of sexual conflicts in many patients with eating disorders has been well documented. However, even when these have been considered to have some degree of etiological importance, the occurrence of actual sexual trauma or incest in the early lives of these patients has been generally neglected in the literature. At one point in time, it was noted that five of six patients on an inpatient unit for eating disorders revealed an early history of sexual abuse or incest. These five cases are described. A parallel is drawn between the psychological problems experienced by victims of childhood sexual abuse and by patients with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia. Our suspicion that these experiences may not be atypical led to the present article, which has implications for the investigation and management of eating-disordered patients.

Dissociation, Abuse and the Eating Disorders: Evidence from an Australian Population

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Brown ◽  
Janice Russell ◽  
Christopher Thornton ◽  
Stewart Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Australian Population ◽  
Eating Disordered ◽  
Self Mutilation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Australian Experience ◽  
Report Measure

Objective: Anumber of European and Northern American studies have investigated a possible association between dissociative phenomena, eating disorders, child sexual abuse and self-mutilation. However, there has been little confirmation from other countries and cultures, and the Australian experience of these interrelationships has not previously been studied. Method: Dissociative symptomatology and self-reported history of abusive experiences, physical and sexual, were retrospectively studied in a sample of Australian eating disordered patients using a self-report measure, the Dissociation Questionnaire (DIS-Q). Results: As hypothesised, dissociative symptoms were particularly frequent in those who reported child and adult sexual abuse and in those who self-mutilated. A correlation between multiple forms of abuse and higher dissociation scores was only partially upheld. Conclusions: Interrelationships between victimisation and dissociation are discussed within the context of current knowledge in the field, and brief suggestions for therapeutic strategies are offered.

Descriptive Analysis of the Characteristics of Proven Cases of Sexual Abuse in Victims With Intellectual Disabilities and Children With Typical Development in Spain

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988820
Author(s):  
Alba Vara ◽  
José M. Quintana ◽  
Sergio Escorial ◽  
Antonio L. Manzanero
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Typical Development ◽  
Sexual Crime ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
History Of ◽  
Civil Guard ◽  
Do So ◽  
Special Protection

Children and people with intellectual disability (ID) are considered to be highly vulnerable and in need of special protection against sexual abuse (SA). The objective of this work was to analyze the characteristics of cases of SA in children with typical development and in people with ID in Spain. To do so, 25 cases of each type that had been investigated by specialized groups of the Judicial Police of the Spanish Civil Guard and that had been classified as proven and confirmed by police and forensic-medical evidence were analyzed. The results allowed the establishment of the typical minor victim profile as Spanish female (76%), with an average age of 8.64 years. Typical victim with ID was characterized as being of Spanish, aged 20.28 years on average, without prior sexual experience, and similar percentages of males (40%) and females (60%). In both cases, the aggressor usually acted alone, was known to the victim, had an average age of 42 years, and without a history of sexual offenses. The most common child sexual crime was SA with penetration, practiced repeatedly, using strategies such as the use of force, authority, rewards, or secrecy. Victims with ID suffered sexual abuse with penetration, using force, authority, threats or blackmail. Finally, 36% of minors not disclose the events by only 8% of victims with ID. Spontaneity was found in the 40% first disclosure in both victims, with greater police evidence and greater recognition of guilt on behalf of the aggressors against victims without disabilities. Minors took an average of 26.26 days to report the facts, and victims with ID of 64.94. It is necessary to know more about these types of offenses to design appropriate prevention and detection programs.

Sexual Abuse in Patients with Eating Disorder, Patients with Depression, and Normal Controls

1995 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Vize ◽  
Peter J. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Self Report ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Control Group ◽  
History Of

BackgroundA history of sexual abuse has been widely reported in patients with eating disorders. However, the association does not appear to be specific, because a high rate of such abuse has also been found in other psychiatric patients.MethodA standardised interview method was used to elicit details of sexual abuse in a psychiatrically normal control group and samples of patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or depression.ResultsAn equally high rate of abuse was found in all three clinical samples. Among the patients with anorexia nervosa the presence of bulimic episodes was not found to be associated with reports of abuse; and among the patients with bulimia nervosa there was no relationship between abuse and a history of anorexia nervosa. Among the patients with eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, assessed by means of self-report questionnaire, was not found to be related to reports of abuse, although there was an association between abuse and both indices of impulsive behaviour and the overall level of personality disturbance.ConclusionsChildhood sexual abuse appears to be a vulnerability factor for psychiatric disorder in general and not eating disorders in particular. The way in which abuse interacts with other aetiological factors to produce different psychopathological trajectories remains to be elucidated.

Child Physical and Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders: A Review of the Links and Personal Comments on the Treatment Process

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Brown
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Causal Relation ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
History Of ◽  
Physical And Sexual Abuse

Objective: The aim of the present paper is to review the available literature on abusive experiences and the development of eating disorders, with particular reference to the theoretical basis of the possible links between them. Method: The review covers the literature of both interpersonal violence and eating disorders, with special reference to that linking the two fields. Brief case reports and clinical experience from a specialised eating disorders unit are also described. Results: Despite much theoretical speculation of a causal relation between abuse and eating dysfunction there is a lack of empirical research to confirm such theories, and a dearth of treatment suggestions to deal with the comorbid problems of the patient with an eating disorder and a history of abuse. Conclusions: There is a need for more clinical and experimental focus in this area, particularly in the study of aetiology and the management of dually affected individuals.

Sexual Abuse, Disordered Personality and Eating Disorders

1991 ◽  
Vol 158 (S10) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa McClelland ◽  
Lawrence Mynors-Wallis ◽  
Tom Fahy ◽  
Jane Treasure
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Personality Assessments ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
History Of

Standardised personality assessments were administered to 50 consecutive referrals to an Eating Disorders Clinic. A history of childhood sexual abuse was identified in 30% of patients using a modified version of the SLEI. This rate is comparable with those from other studies. Overall, 52% of the patients were rated as having a personality disorder but a significantly higher proportion of women with a personality disorder had a history of childhood sexual abuse compared with those without a personality disorder (13/26 v. 2/24, Fisher P < 0.001). Although in patients with eating disorders no clear causal link between CSA and personality disorder was demonstrated, our findings emphasise the need to inquire sensitively into the sexual history of such patients.

Review of Sexual Abuse and Eating Disorders.

1996 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 1223-1223
Author(s):  
Terri Gullickson
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Sexual Abuse
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