Childhood sexual abuse and its impact on adult well-being

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to explain the possible effect of childhood sexual abuse (before the age of 18) on the current well-being of those who have suffered it, based on the analysis of a survey conducted in 2018 by the Fundación para la Confianza in the Metropolitan Region in Chile. The sample consisted of 641 participants who were administered a self-report questionnaire. The responses were grouped into three types of sexual abuse: rape, abuse with physical contact, and abuse without physical contact, they were related to sociodemographic variables, perceived impact, and subjective well-being. The results showed a clear relationship between the socioeconomic level, the type of abuse and the evaluation of the impact of the event on subjective well-being. It is discussed the need to develop more comprehensive definitions of abuse is discussed.