engleski

Analysis of some psychosocial indicators of sexually abused children

Recent epidemiological study obtained on a nationally representative sample form Croatia showed that 10.8% of children in Croatia have experienced some fore of sexual abuse during their childhood. From the total number of children treated in the Centre in Zagreb, a specialized institution that works with psychotraumatized children, there are 7.5-12% of sexually abused children per year. In this paper, we will discuss some characteristics of 521 sexually abused children reffered to the Centre between year 2002-2012 (socio-demographic characteristics, characteristics of psychological functioning, psychopathological deviations), as well as the forms of the help we provided. Below average intellectual functioning is obtained in 16.1% of children, an average 59.7% of children and above average in 24.2% of children. On a scale of neuroticism, average scored has 69.2% of chilrend, while 30.8% has above average scores ; on a scale of extraversion, the average results has 68.1% of the children, below average has 21.6% of children and 10.3% of children has above average scores ; on a scale of psychoticism, 85.5% of children has an average score and 14.2% above the average. In our sample, earlier experience of some form of abuse was found in 11.1% of children and previous traumatic event which is not domestic abuse had 13.2% of children. Increased anxiety was found in 52% of children who were tested and elevated depression in 44.4% of chilrend. Increased traumatization was found in 67.8% of children who were tested. These data will be discussed in context of earlier studies, as well as the effects of sexual abuse and therapy.

psychosocial indicators; sexual abuse; children; Child Protection Center of Zagreb

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