Child sexual abuse is a very severe negative events that affect an individual’s sexuality and self-concept. This study examined the impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) on the sexual self-concept (SSC) and self-evaluation of female survivors. A total of 83 female survivors and 89 women without a history of CSA participated in this study. Female survivors were invited to participate in this study through a center providing counseling for women with a history of child maltreatment. Women without a history CSA were recruited through convenience sampling. SSC refers to how individuals perceive themselves as sexual being. It reflects their sexual feelings, thinking, and actions. In this study, the measure of SSC encompassed six domains (viz., sexual self-esteem, sexual self-efficacy, sexual satisfaction, sexual anxiety, sexual depression, and sexual fear). Self-evaluation was assessed by self-esteem and general self-efficacy. The results showed that women with a history of CSA were poorer in the six domains of SSC [t (170) = 4.02 to 8.80, p < .05 to p < .001; Cohen’s d = 0.62 to 1.28] than women without CSA. They were also poorer in self-esteem [t (170) = 3.99, p < .001; Cohen’s d = 0.63] and general self-efficacy [t (170) = 1.98, p < .05; Cohen d = 0.31]. SSC was found to mediate the negative effects CSA on both self-esteem and general self-efficacy. The findings implicated that to promote self-evaluation of female survivors of CSA, intervention programs may focus on fostering a healthy SSC.

Authors:
Hoi Nga Ng, Saint Francis University, Hong Kong
Kam Weng Boey, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Hoi Nga Ng is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Caritas Institute of Higher Education in Hong Kong

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