Collusion and Denial of Childhood Sexual Trauma in Traditional Societies

Abstract

Examined the occurrence and the nature of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Turkey in help-seeking patients to evaluate the dimensions of the problem and to help those who survived. Ss included 96 female patients (aged 14-45 yrs) referred for psychiatric treatment who reported a history of CSA before the age of 16. The Ss' cases were evaluated in terms of sociodemographic features, histories of physical and sexual trauma, patterns of family relationships, psychopathology, and other long-term adjustments problems. Clinical diagnoses were made on the basis of Mental Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria. Beyond formal diagnoses, other adjustment problems were also investigated. Most of the Ss asked for help long after the incident. Only 12% came during the time of abuse, and 15% in the 3 mo following it. The duration of the abuse ranged from 1-17 yrs. Most of the Ss' mothers were housewives, and the others were unskilled workers; Ss' fathers tended to have higher educational levels than mothers, and most of them had regular jobs. posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the most frequent diagnosis. The results indicate that CSA is frequent in Turkey. The supporting of traumatized individuals within the specific constraints of the Turkish culture is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved)