PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE THE CASE OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN JIMMA ZONE, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Arguably, the sexual abuse of children raises a number of important questions forresearchers at different times. Thus, the present study was aimed to examine psychopathologicalcorrelates of child sexual abuse.METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study compared the degree of vulnerability topsychopathological variables among respondents with a history of sexual abuse and their unabusedcounter parts in Jimma Zone. To this end, 400 female students were selected from five high schools asthe sample population using multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were gathered using Reynold’sAdolescent Depression Scale (RADS), Adolescent Panic Anxiety Scale, and Posttraumatic stress disordertest. The collected data via self-administered questionnaire were analyzed through the two sample t-teststatistical procedure.RESULTS: The study revealed a result of t=3.83 for depression, t=2.46 for panic episode, and t=4.23 forPTSD score, whereas, the critical value of all the three psychopathological variables showed t (52)=1.676 at P=0.05. Results illustrate the presence of statistically significant differences in the mean scoresof the above mentioned psychopathologies between females with history of sexual abuse and females whowere not victims of this sexual attack at df =52 and P=0.05.CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicate that history of childhood sexual abuse hasadverse consequences on the future psychological wellbeing of females. Specifically, females withexperience of sexual abuse were found to be more susceptible to develop depression, panic anxiety, andpost-traumatic stress disorders than unabused females. Thus, parents, and teachers should give thenecessary care and protection to female children. Primary bio-psychosocial care services need to beestablished in the school system, and both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education shouldwork together against sexual exploitation of female children.