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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Evaluations of child sexual abuse: recognition of overt and latent family concerns
John M Leventhal1, Janet L Murphy, Andrea G Asnes
1Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8064, USA.
Objective:
To describe a clinical approach to the recognition of overt and latent concerns of parents and children when children are evaluated for suspected sexual abuse by medical examiners.
Method:
Description of a clinical approach.
Results:
We describe 10 concerns-six of parents: (1) should we believe our child?; (2) worries about the child's body; (3) expressing emotions; (4) why the child delayed in telling; (5) how to talk to my child; (6) when will the perpetrator be arrested?; and four of children: 7) who will know about this?; (8) protecting one's parents; (9) worry about one's own body; and (10) what about my sexuality?
Conclusions:
We believe that by addressing these concerns in the medical evaluation of suspected sexual abuse, clinicians can help families focus on important issues, including ensuring the child's safety, acknowledging family members' feelings, and arranging counseling for the child and parents.
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