The relation between pregnancy history and psychiatric disorders in the victims of sexual abuse

ABSTRACT The Relation between Pregnancy History and Psychiatric Disorders in the Victims of Sexual Abuse Aim: Child abuse and neglect is a serious problem which have complex causes, tragic outcomes and medical, legal, psychosocial, developmental components. One of the major negative consequences of sexual abuse is unwanted pregnancies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics of abused children, who had given birth, are pregnant or whose pregnancy is terminated for any reason, who were referred to Cukurova University Medical Faculty Forensic-Medical Committee for Child Abuse Cases. Material and Methods: In this study, 207 pregnant adolescents who referred by courts to medical-psychiatric evaluation and/or establishing legal report on suitability for marriage mentally and physically were studied retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the cases was 15.5±1.6 years, the mean education period was 6.0±3.1 years, and the mean number of siblings was 4.5±2.8. For statistical analysis, abusers were subdivided into 4 groups as follows; father or brother (5.4%), an other member of the family (6,8%), a relative of the family outside or a foreign one (30.7%), and common-law spouse (71.7%). 97.1% of the cases had a history of penetration, % 88,4 had a history of neglect, and 17,4 % had a history of physical abuse. Supportive Parental attitudes were reported by % 81,6 of cases, whereas 18, 4% of parents were convictive-constrictive against their daughter. Conclusion: Follow-up and treatment of adolescent pregnant women should be a multidisciplinary approach. When making a decision about adolescent pregnancy, it is important to provide the assistance and support to pregnant woman. Adolescents who choose to continue the pregnancy is directed to prenatal care. If the decision of termination of pregnancy, counseling should be made for birth control after the procedure. Key Words: Child Abuse, sexual abuse, adolescent pregnancy, forensic-medical evaluation.