Sexual abuse by family member puts children at high risk of PTSD, emotional distress
They experience difficulty regulating emotions which leads to mood changes, emotional outbursts and high sensitivity to stress because they struggle to express themselves properly and may feel distressed due to extreme anger, shame or sadness.
SHAH ALAM - Children who are being sexually abused, especially by family members are at risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which impacts many areas of their lives and overall well-being.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Faculty of Human Ecology Development Psychology in Child and Adolescent expert Dr Nellie Ismail said cognitive functioning, which involved the ability to focus, solve problems and retain information, will be affected.
She said that social functioning, including forming and maintaining healthy relationships with others, would also be disrupted after losing trust, leading to loneliness and self-isolation.
"Children tend to use maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, self-harm or engaging in risky sexual behaviour as a way to alleviate their emotional pain.
"They also experience difficulty regulating emotions, which leads to mood changes, emotional outbursts and high sensitivity to stress because they struggle to express themselves properly and may feel distressed due to extreme anger, shame or sadness.
"Sexual abuse within the family also contributes to anxiety and depression issues, which indirectly affect their relationships with peers," she told Sinar.
