scholarly journals Clinical effects of sexual abuse on people with learning disability

2003 ◽  
Vol 182 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Sequeira ◽  
Sheila Hollins
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
General Population ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Effects Of Sexual Abuse ◽  
Published Research

BackgroundThere are few publications concerning the psychological reactions of people with learning disabilities to sexual abuse. Most significantly, there are no controlled studies and few which demonstrate a systematic approach to documenting the sequelae of trauma.AimsTo critically review the published research in this field.MethodA literature search in peer-reviewed psychiatry, psychology nursing and social care journals for the years 1974 to 2001 was conducted and 25 studies were reviewed.ResultsSeveral studies suggest that, following sexual abuse, people with learning disabilities may experience a range of psychopathology similar to that experienced by adults and children in the general population. However, because of methodological limitations, these results are not conclusive.ConclusionsWhether people with learning disabilities experience reactions to sexual abuse similar to the general population has yet to be explored by systematic research.

scholarly journals Psychological disturbance associated with sexual abuse in people with learning disabilities

2003 ◽  
Vol 183 (5) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Sequeira ◽  
Patricia Howlin ◽  
Shiela Hollins
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Disturbance ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundThe association between sexual abuse, mental health and behavioural problems in people with learning disabilities has not previously been examined in a controlled study.AimsTo identify symptoms of psychological disturbance in adults with and without a confirmed history of sexual abuse.MethodThe study used a matched (1:1) case–control design comparing 54 adults who had experienced sexual abuse with 54 adults with no reported history of abuse. The two groups were selected from a community population of adults with learning disabilities living in residential care, and compared for selected psychiatric diagnoses and for scores on measures of disturbed behaviour.ResultsSexual abuse was associated with increased rates of mental illness and behavioural problems, and with symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Psychological reactions to abuse were similar to those observed in the general population, but with the addition of stereotypical behaviour. The more serious the abuse, the more severe the symptoms that were reported.ConclusionsThe study provides the first evidence from a controlled study that sexual abuse is associated with a higher incidence of psychiatric and behavioural disorder in people with learning disabilities.

scholarly journals Abuse of people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable adults

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila B. Cooke ◽  
Valerie Sinason
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Learning Disabled ◽  
British Society ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Vulnerable Adults ◽  
Voluntary Organisations

Workers in the field of learning disability drew attention to the problem of sexual abuse and learning-disabled children and adults only a decade ago (Sinason, 1986; Cooke, 1989), at the same time that British society first tolerated the knowledge that non-disabled children were being abused. Although guidelines have been produced and voluntary organisations such as the National Association for the Protection from Sexual Abuse of Adults and Children with Learning Disabilies (NAPSAC), the Association for Residential Care (ARC) and Voice UK have made vital contributions, psychiatric involvement and provision is uneven (ARC & NAPSAC, 1993).

scholarly journals To which extent are per-and poly-fluorinated substances associated to metabolic syndrome?

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Zare Jeddi ◽  
Rozita Soltanmohammadi ◽  
Giulia Barbieri ◽  
Aline S. C. Fabricio ◽  
Gisella Pitter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
General Population ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Epidemiologic Evidence ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous persistent environmental contaminants, has led to substantial global concern due to their potential environmental and human health effects. Several epidemiological studies have assessed the possible association between PFAS exposure and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), however, the results are ambiguous. The aim of this study was to assess the current human epidemiologic evidence on the association between exposure to PFAS and MetS. We performed a systematic search strategy using three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) for relevant studies concerning the associations of PFAS with MetS and its clinical relevance from inception until January 2021. We undertook meta-analyses where there were five or more studies with exposure and outcomes assessments that were reasonably comparable. The pooled odd ratios (ORs) were calculated using random effects models and heterogeneity among studies was assessed by I2 index and Q test. A total of 12 cross-sectional studies (10 studies on the general population and two studies in the occupational settings) investigated the association between PFAS exposure and MetS. We pooled data from seven studies on the general population for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and five studies for perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). Predominately, most studies reported no statistically significant association between concentrations of PFAS and MetS. In the meta-analysis, the overall measure of effect was not statistically significant, showing no evidence of an association between concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFHxS and the risk of MetS. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, current small body of evidence does not support association between PFAS and MetS. However, due to limited number of studies and substantial heterogeneity, results should be interpreted with caution. Further scrutinizing cohort studies are needed to evaluate the association between various and less well-known PFAS substances and their mixture with MetS and its components in both adults and children in different settings.

Characteristics of Sexual Abuse Among Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (17) ◽  
pp. 2725-2744 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Kmett ◽  
Shaun M. Eack
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Psychiatric Admissions ◽  
Substance Dependent ◽  
Effects Of Sexual Abuse ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses ◽  
Multiple Samples

The deleterious effects of sexual abuse (SA) are well documented, as many studies have found that SA can increase the risk for psychiatric disorders. While SA has been examined in multiple samples, no studies have examined the characteristics of SA in individuals with severe mental illnesses (SMI). This study examined the prevalence rate and characterized the nature of SA among individuals with SMI who were under psychiatric care in three different inpatient facilities. Utilizing data from the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study, 1,136 individuals with SMI were assessed for SA histories, psychiatric diagnoses, and other demographics. Nearly half of this sample ( n = 511) identified SA histories, with almost half indicating that the person was a stranger or someone outside of the family unit. One third reported SA occurred “too many times to count,” and approximately a third indicated the abuse consisted of intercourse, occurring at a mean age of 11.22 years. Results found that individuals with SA histories were often never married, Caucasian, female, had children, described themselves as psychologically unwell, and were commonly voluntary psychiatric admissions. Those with SA histories had significantly higher psychopathology and lower functioning, and were more likely to be diagnosed with depression but less likely to be substance dependent. Identifying SA characteristics in individuals with SMI is a critical component to successful treatment. Thorough screening and assessment of this common problem can help clinicians identify accompanying issues that may exacerbate SMI symptomology, and improve the prognosis for long-term outcomes.

scholarly journals Survivors of childhood sexual abuse: approaches to therapy

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Crowe ◽  
Christopher Dare
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
General Population ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Best Estimate ◽  
The Usa

The experience of sexual abuse in childhood is very common (Jehu, 1988). The highest estimate from the USA (Wyatt & Peters, 1986) suggests that 42% of girls up to the age of 17 have experienced abuse, and the best estimate from Britain (Baker & Duncan, 1985) would give a prevalence of between 12 and 20%. Mullen et al (1993) found in a general population of women in New Zealand an overall prevalence of abuse before the age of 16 of 32%, with 20% reporting genital contact and 3% penetrative sex. In the American series half of those abused (21% of the respondents) reported that the abuse was by a family member: the figure for intra-familial abuse in the British series was 14% of those reporting abuse, and thus about 3–5% of all the women who responded. There may be many explanations for the large international variations, including differences in definition, sampling and other aspects of methodology, but it is also possible that abuse is indeed more common in some countries than others.

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