Population-Based Study of Childhood Sexual Contact in China: Prevalence and Long-Term Consequences

• NCJ Number: 223962
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 32 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2008 Pages: 721-731
• Author(s): Ye Luo; William L. Parish; Edward O. Laumann
• Date Published: July 2008
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 HD34157; P30 HD18288
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Chicago; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); University of North Florida
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study provides estimates of the prevalence and consequences of childhood sexual contact in China.

Abstract

Highlights of findings include: (1) the prevalence for Chinese urban adults was 3.3 percent for women and 5.1 percent for men; (2) for men, the data is consistent with a trend towards more childhood sexual contact in recent decades, particularly heterosexual contact among peers at ages 12-13; (3) socioeconomic origins seem unrelated to sexual contact in childhood; (4) data confirm a multifaceted relationship between childhood sexual contact and sexual well-being in adulthood; and (5) a positive effect was observed of childhood sexual contact on psychological distress in adult life; those who had childhood sexual contact reported higher levels of psychological distress than those who had no such contact. Little is known about prevalence and consequences of childhood sexual contact in developing countries such as China. This study provides results from the first national estimates of the prevalence of childhood sexual contact and its effects on sexual well-being and psychological distress among Chinese adults living in towns and cities in 1999-2000. Tables amd references