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Childhood Sexual Experiences with Adults: Adult Male Psychiatric Patients and General Practice Attenders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Robert L. Palmer ,
David Bramble ,
Michael Metcalfe ,
Rhoda Oppenheimer  and
Jennifer Smith
Robert L. Palmer*
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Leicester General Hospital
David Bramble
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Leicester Royal Infirmary
Michael Metcalfe
Affiliation:
Leicester General Hospital
Rhoda Oppenheimer
Affiliation:
Department of Social Services, Leicestershire County Council
Jennifer Smith
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Leicester General Hospital
*
Dr R. L. Palmer, University Department of Psychiatry, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW
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Abstract

Background

Sexual abuse of male children is now believed to be common, and there may be links to adult psychiatric disorders.

Method

Recollections of sexual experiences with adults in childhood were studied systematically in 115 men attending general practice surgeries and 100 male psychiatric patients.

Results

The latter reported more frequent and more serious events before the age of 13 than the general practice attenders. No significant difference was detected for events between the ages of 13 and 15.

Conclusions

Childhood sexual abuse before the age of 13 may be associated with later psychiatric disorders, although the nature of the association remains uncertain.

Type
Short papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 165 , Issue 5 , November 1994 , pp. 675 - 679
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1994 

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Footnotes

1.

It is deeply regretted that Rhoda Oppenheimer died while this paper was in press.

References

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