Related Experiment Videos
The Stability of Retrospective Child Sexual Abuse Reports and its Association With Problem Avoidance
Nnenna L Okeke1, Anna V Wilkinson2, Robert E Roberts2
1a NORC at the University of Chicago , Department of Public Health , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
|June 2, 2017
Summary
Retrospective child sexual abuse (CSA) reporting shows reliability issues. Inconsistent reporting, particularly among males, may signal problem avoidance, while females report CSA more consistently over time.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retrospective measurement of child sexual abuse (CSA) faces reliability challenges.
- Psychosocial factors, such as problem avoidance, contributing to these reliability issues require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of retrospective CSA measurement in a national adult sample.
- To examine sex differences in CSA reporting reliability.
- To investigate the relationship between problem avoidance tendencies and reporting consistency.
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative sample of 12,438 adults was surveyed across two periods (2001-2002 and 2007-2008).
- Reliability of retrospective CSA reports was evaluated by comparing reports across the two time waves.
- Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were used to assess sex differences and the impact of problem avoidance.
Main Results:
- A significant portion of CSA cases reported in one wave were not reported in the subsequent wave (approx. 75% and 67%).
- Females were more likely to consistently report CSA if initially reported (OR = 5.11).
- Individuals reporting CSA in the first wave but not the second exhibited higher problem avoidance scores (3.13 vs. 2.77).
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest females may provide more consistent retrospective reports of CSA.
- Inconsistent reporting of CSA may serve as an indicator of problem avoidance tendencies.
- The study highlights the need for methodological considerations in retrospective CSA research and offers insights for practitioners.
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