Sexual abuse history in children is significantly associated with dissociation. Sexual abuse and dissociation are associated with suicidality, self-mutilation, and sexual aggression. Dissociation has an important mediating role between sexual abuse and psychiatric disturbance.
Therefore dissociation may be a critical mediator of psychiatric symptoms and risk-taking behaviour among sexually abused children.
The assessment and treatment of dissociation among sexually abused children is an important aspect of patient management.
About the author