NCJ Number
213401
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2006 Pages: 205-212
Date Published
February 2006
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study sought to determine the extent to which a sample of men who were abused as children by their male caregivers in a religiously-affiliated institution suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder and mood and substance use disorders, as well as adjustment problems.
Abstract
The findings of this study suggest that men often attempt to control their discomfort and distress through substance abuse, as well as suffer long-term posttraumatic stress symptoms that may interfere with many aspects of their daily life. Men with histories of severe abuse by caregivers at a residential setting demonstrated severely disrupted mental functioning. Diagnoses included alcohol abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mood disorders. The frequency of PTSD-related symptoms is consistent with longitudinal studies. Several men had criminal histories involving both person- and property-related crimes and suffered from sexual orientation confusion or sexual dysfunction. Despite the years between the abuse and the current assessment, the men expressed strong emotions and memories associated with their abusive experiences. The study consisted of 76 men laying claims against the assets of a religiously affiliated institution, related to acts of physical and sexual abuse perpetrated against them by their surrogate caregivers. The study describes the long-term impact of physical and sexual abuse of boys by someone in a trusting, non-familial relationship. Table, references