Medium-term health and social outcomes in adolescents following sexual assault: a prospective mixed-methods cohort study

Author:

Clarke VenetiaORCID,Goddard Andrea,Wellings Kaye,Hirve Raeena,Casanovas Marta,Bewley SusanORCID,Viner Russell,Kramer Tami,Khadr SophieORCID

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To describe medium-term physical and mental health and social outcomes following adolescent sexual assault, and examine users’ perceived needs and experiences. Method Longitudinal, mixed methods cohort study of adolescents aged 13–17 years recruited within 6 weeks of sexual assault (study entry) and followed to study end, 13–15 months post-assault. Results 75/141 participants were followed to study end (53% retention; 71 females) and 19 completed an in-depth qualitative interview. Despite many participants accessing support services, 54%, 59% and 72% remained at risk for depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders 13–15 months post-assault. Physical symptoms were reported more frequently. Persistent (> 30 days) absence from school doubled between study entry and end, from 22 to 47%. Enduring mental ill-health and disengagement from education/employment were associated with psychosocial risk factors rather than assault characteristics. Qualitative data suggested inter-relationships between mental ill-health, physical health problems and disengagement from school, and poor understanding from schools regarding how to support young people post-assault. Baseline levels of smoking, alcohol and ever drug use were high and increased during the study period (only significantly for alcohol use). Conclusion Adolescents presenting after sexual assault have high levels of vulnerability over a year post-assault. Many remain at risk for mental health disorders, highlighting the need for specialist intervention and ongoing support. A key concern for young people is disruption to their education. Multi-faceted support is needed to prevent social exclusion and further widening of health inequalities in this population, and to support young people in their immediate and long-term recovery.

Funder

National Institute for Health Research

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Subject

Psychiatry and Mental health,Social Psychology,Health (social science),Epidemiology

Reference63 articles.

1. WHO DoRHaR, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, South African Medical Research Council (2013) Global and regional estimates of violence against women: prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. World Health Organisation, Geneva

2. Macdowall W, Gibson LJ, Tanton C, Mercer CH, Lewis R, Clifton S, Field N, Datta J, Mitchell KR, Sonnenberg P, Erens B, Copas AJ, Phelps A, Prah P, Johnson AM, Wellings K (2013) Lifetime prevalence, associated factors, and circumstances of non-volitional sex in women and men in Britain: findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3). Lancet 382(9907):1845–1855. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62300-4

3. UNICEF (2012) Progress for children: a report card on adolescents. No. 10, April 2012. United Nations Children's Fund, New York

4. Barter CMM, Berridge D et al (2009) (2009) Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships. NSPCC, London

5. Halpern CT, Young ML, Waller MW, Martin SL, Kupper LL (2004) Prevalence of partner violence in same-sex romantic and sexual relationships in a national sample of adolescents. J Adolesc Health 35(2):124–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.09.003

Cited by 9 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3