Il ruolo attivo della vittima in caso di abuso sessuale: conseguenze in adolescenza

Titolo Rivista MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA
Autori/Curatori Rachele Maria Valentini
Anno di pubblicazione 2023 Fascicolo 2022/3 Lingua Italiano
Numero pagine 21 P. 107-127 Dimensione file 206 KB
DOI 10.3280/MAL2022-003006
Il DOI è il codice a barre della proprietà intellettuale: per saperne di più clicca qui

Qui sotto puoi vedere in anteprima la prima pagina di questo articolo.

Se questo articolo ti interessa, lo puoi acquistare (e scaricare in formato pdf) seguendo le facili indicazioni per acquistare il download credit. Acquista Download Credits per scaricare questo Articolo in formato PDF

Anteprima articolo

FrancoAngeli è membro della Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA)associazione indipendente e non profit per facilitare (attraverso i servizi tecnologici implementati da CrossRef.org) l’accesso degli studiosi ai contenuti digitali nelle pubblicazioni professionali e scientifiche

Il presente studio si propone di indagare se in adolescenza il partecipare attivamente alle azioni di abuso sessuale (“agire atti sessuali” come l’induzione o la coercizione della vittima a impegnarsi in pratiche quali la stimolazione dei genitali dell’abusante, rapporti orali/anali e esibizioni erotiche al fine di soddisfare i desideri sessuali del perpetratore) comporti un maggior aggravarsi, in termini di rielaborazione cognitiva dell’esperienza abusiva e di sviluppo di emozioni traumatiche di vergogna, colpa ed impotenza, rispetto al subire passivamente la violenza sessuale. Sono state analizzate 32 deposizioni di adolescenti vittime di abuso sessuale, con un’età media al momento dell’audizione di 14 anni (DS = 1.72; range = 11-17 anni). Per risalire alle cognizioni e alle emozioni traumatiche connesse all’abuso sessuale subito, le deposizioni delle vittime sono state testualmente analizzate attraverso il Linguistic Inquiry e Word Count (LIWC; Pennebaker et al., 2001). I risultati confermano che in adolescenza la partecipazione attiva alle dinamiche di abuso sessuale risulta maggiormente connessa a difficoltà di rielaborazione cognitiva dei fatti traumatici occorsi, con un importante e significativo apporto da parte di emozioni traumatiche particolarmente lesive, come vergogna, senso di colpa e impotenza.;

Keywords:abuso sessuale infantile; adolescenza; trauma; emozioni; cognizioni

  1. Andrews, J. L., Ahmed, S. P., & Blakemore, S. (2021). Navigating the social environment in adolescence: The role of social brain development. Biological Psychiatry, 89(2), 109-118,
  2. Angelakis, I., Austin, J. L., & Gooding, P. (2020). Association of childhood maltreatment with suicide behaviors among young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA network open, 3(8), 1-15,
  3. Ashby, B. D., & Kaul, P. (2016). Post-traumatic stress disorder after sexual abuse in adolescent girls. Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, 29(6), 531-536,
  4. Bacon, H., & Richardson, S. (2000). Child sexual abuse and the continuum of victim disclosure. In C. Itzin (Ed.), Home truths about child sexual abuse (pp. 235-276). London: Routledge.
  5. Barlow, D. H. (2002). Anxiety and its disorders: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic. Guilford Press, New York, NY. Disponibile online: https://www.proquest.com/books/anxiety-disorders-nature-treatment-panic/docview/619619052/se-2?accountid=9941.
  6. Blizard, R. A., & Bluhm, A. M. (1994). Attachment to the abuser: Integrating object-relations and trauma theories in treatment of abuse survivors. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 31(3), 383-390, DOI: 10.1037/0033-3204.31.3.383
  7. Branje, S., de Moor, E. L., Spitzer, J., & Becht, A. I. (2021). Dynamics of identity development in adolescence: A decade in review. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 31(4), 908-927,
  8. Briere, J., & Runtz, M. (1993). Childhood sexual abuse: Long-term sequelae and implications for psychological assessment. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 8(3), 312-330, DOI: 10.1177/088626093008003002
  9. Browne, A., & Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 66-77, DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66
  10. Camisasca, E., & Miragoli, S. (2014). Stress post-traumatico in esperienze di violenza cronica. Maltrattamento e abuso all’infanzia, 16(2), 7-11. DOI: 10.3280/MAL2014-002001
  11. Carlson, E. B., Furby, L., Armstrong, J., & Shlaes, J. (1997). A conceptual framework for the the long-term psychological effects of traumatic childhood abuse. Child Maltreatment, 2(3), 272-295, DOI: 10.1177/1077559597002003009
  12. Chen, Y., McAnally, H. M., & Reese, E. (2013). Development in the organization of episodic memories in middle childhood and adolescence. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 7, 1-9. -- Disponibile online: https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/development-organization-episodic-memories-middle/docview/1435853228/se-2.
  13. Cherry, K. (2014). What is learned helplessness and why does it happen? Very Well Mind, 1. Disponibile online: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-learned-helplessness-2795326.
  14. Child Welfare Information Gateway (2007). Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Addressing the Mental Health of Sexually Abused Children. United States of America: Department of Health and Human Services. Disponibile online: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/trauma/.
  15. Cigala, A. & Zammuner, V.L. (2001). Cambiamenti evolutivi in adolescenza. In P. Moderato & F. Rovetto (Eds.), Psicologo verso la professione. Milano: McGraw-Hill.
  16. Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., Berliner, L., & Deblinger, E. (2000). Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents: An empirical update. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 15(11), 1202-1223, DOI: 10.1177/088626000015011007
  17. Confalonieri, E. (2011). La percezione dell’immagine corporea in adolescenza, in Confalonieri, E. (ed.), “Mi disegno” Uno strumento per la valutazione dell’immagine corporea in adolescenza (pp. 11-25). Milano: Unicopli.
  18. De Panfilis, D. (2006). Child neglect: A guide for prevention, assessment, and intervention. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Children’s Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect. Disponible online: https://www.childwelfar.gov/pubs/usermanual.
  19. De Rui, L. (2022). Dire l’indicibile: i presupposti necessari alle verifiche di attendibilità e credibilità nei casi di violenza sessuale infantile. Maltrattamento e abuso all’infanzia, 24(1), 53-68, DOI: 10.3280/MAL2022-001004
  20. Feiring C., & Cleland C. (2007). Childhood sexual abuse and abuse-specific attributions of blame over 6 years following discovery. Child Abuse & Neglect, 31(11-12), 1169-1186,
  21. Feiring C, Taska L., & Chen K. (2002). Trying to Understand Why Horrible Things Happen: Attribution, Shame, and Symptom Development Following Sexual Abuse. Child Maltreatment, 7(1), 25-39, DOI: 10.1177/1077559502007001003
  22. Feiring C, Taska L., & Lewis M. (1996). A process model for understanding adaptation to sexual abuse: The role of shame in defining stigmatization. Child Abuse & Neglect, 20(8), 767-782, DOI: 10.1016/0145-2134(96)00064-6
  23. Feiring C., & Taska LS. (2005). The Persistence of Shame Following Sexual Abuse: A Longitudinal Look at Risk and Recovery. Child Maltreatment, 10(4), 337-349, DOI: 10.1177/1077559505276686
  24. Feiring, C., Taska, L., & Lewis, M. (1998). The role of shame and attributional style in children’s and adolescents’ adaptation to sexual abuse. Child Maltreatment, 3(2), 129-142, DOI: 10.1177/1077559598003002007
  25. Felitti, V. J., & Anda, R. F. (2010). The relationship of adverse childhood experiences to adult medical disease, psychiatric disorders and sexual behavior: Implications for healthcare. In R.A. Lanius, E. Vermetten, & C. Pain (Eds.), The impact of early life trauma on health and disease: The hidden epidemic (pp. 77-87). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
  26. Finkelhor, D., & Browne, A. (1985). The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A conceptualization. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 55(4), 530-541,
  27. Gardner, M. J., Thomas, H. J., & Erskine, H. E. (2019). The association between five forms of child maltreatment and depressive and anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Child Abuse & Neglect, 96, 104082,
  28. Gil, E. (1996). Treating abused adolescents. New York,NY: Guilford Press. Disponibile online: -- https://www.proquest.com/books/treating-abused-adolescents/docview/619022937/se-2?accountid=9941.
  29. Phasha, T. N. (2008). The link between the emotional consequences of child sexual abuse and school experiences. Sex Education, 8(4), 465-480, DOI: 10.1080/14681810802433994
  30. Griffing, S., Ragin, D. F., Morrison, S. M., Sage, R. E., Madry, L., & Primm, B. J. (2005). Reasons for returning to abusive relationships: Effects of prior victimization. Journal of Family Violence, 20, 341-348,
  31. Griffith, C. D., La France, B., Bacchus, C., & Ortega, G. (2017). Childhood sexual abuse as a predictor of adolescent substance abuse. International Journal of Psychology Research, 12(2), 89-94. -- Disponibile online: https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/childhood-sexual-abuse-as-predictor-adolescent/docview/2190324980/se-2?accountid=9941.
  32. Hébert, M., & Amédée, L. M. (2020). Latent class analysis of post-traumatic stress symptoms and complex PTSD in child victims of sexual abuse and their response to trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1807171, DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1807171
  33. Hébert, M., Amédée, L. M., Théorêt, V., & Petit, M. (2022). Diversity of adaptation profiles in youth victims of child sexual abuse. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 14, S41-S49,
  34. Heim, C., Shugart, M., Craighead, W. E., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2010). Neurobiological and psychiatric consequences of child abuse and neglect. Developmental Psychobiology, 52(7), 671-690,
  35. Hiroto, D. S., & Seligman, M. E. (1975). Generality of learned helplessness in man. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31(2), 311-327,
  36. Inhelder, B. & Piaget, J. (1955). De la logique de l’enfant à la logique de l’adolescent (Dalla logica del fanciullo alla logica dell’adolescente). Firenze: Giunti.
  37. ISTAT (2020). Indagine conoscitiva sulle forme di violenza fra i minori e ai danni di bambini e adolescenti. Disponibile online: https://www.istat.it/it/files//2020/06/Istat_Memoria-scritta_Violenza-tra-minori_1-giugno-2020.pdf.
  38. Janoff-Bulman, R., & Lang-Gunn, L. (1988). Coping with disease, crime, and accidents: The role of self-blame attributions. In L. Y. Abramson (Ed.), Social cognition and clinical psychology: A synthesis (pp. 116-147). New York: Guilford Press. -- Disponibile online: https://www.proquest.com/books/coping-with-disease-crime-accidents-role-self/docview/617668658/se-2?accountid=9941.
  39. Jaycox, L. H., Zoellner, L., & Foa, E. B. (2002). Cognitive-behavior therapy for PTSD in rape survivors. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(8), 891-906,
  40. Kelley, E. L., & Gidycz, C. A. (2020). Mediators of the relationship between sexual assault and sexual behaviors in college women. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(21-22), 4863-4886, DOI: 10.1177/0886260517718188
  41. Lanning, K. V. (2002). Criminal investigation of sexual victimization of children. In J. E. B. Myers, L. Berliner, J. Briere, C. T. Hendrix, C. Jenny & T. A. Reid (Eds.), 2nd ed.; the APSAC handbook on child maltreatment (2nd ed.) (pp. 329-347). Sage Publications, Inc, Thousand Oaks, CA. Disponibile online: https://www.proquest.com/books/criminal-investigation-sexual-victimization/docview/619780884/se-2?accountid=9941.
  42. La Peña-Arteaga, D., Nogueira, S. O., Lynskey, M., & Hines, L. A. (2021). The relationship between childhood physical and sexual abuse and adolescent cannabis use: a systematic review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 777,
  43. Leahy, T., Pretty, G., & Tenenbaum, G. (2003). Childhood sexual abuse narratives in clinically and nonclinically distressed adult survivors. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 34(6), 657-665, DOI: 10.1037/0735-7028.34.6.657
  44. Madigan, S., Cyr, C., Eirich, R., Fearon, R. M. P., Ly, A., Rash, C., .Poole, J., & Alink, L. R. A. (2019). Testing the cycle of maltreatment hypothesis: Meta-analytic evidence of the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment. Development and Psychopathology, 31(1), 23-51, DOI: 10.1017/S0954579418001700
  45. Malacrea, M. (1998). Trauma e riparazione. Milano: Cortina.
  46. McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Psychological trauma and the adult survivor: Theory, therapy, and transformation. Brunner/Mazel, Philadelphia, PA. Disponibile online: https://www.proquest.com/books/psychological-trauma-adult-survivor-theory/docview/617870060/se-2?accountid=9941.
  47. McCann. I. L. Sakheim, D. K., & Abrahamson, D. J. (1988). Trauma and victimization: A model of psychological adaption. The Counseling Psychologist, 16, 531-594, DOI: 10.1177/0011000088164002
  48. McNiss, C., Kalarchian, M., & Laurent, J. (2021). Factors associated with childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy. Child Abuse & Neglect, 120, 105183,
  49. Miller, A. (1990). L’infanzia rimossa. Garzanti: Milano.
  50. Miragoli, S., Badino, V., & Camisasca, E. (2022). Testimonianza infantile e Child Sexual Abuse: Ricerca e pratica. Maltrattamento e abuso all’infanzia, 24(1), 33-51, DOI: 10.3280/MAL2022-001001
  51. Miragoli, S., & Camisasca, E. (2022). An examination of the synergy of age and PTSD on narrative coherence in child sexual abuse testimony. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 31(6), 743-757, DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2022.2131669
  52. Miragoli, S., Camisasca, E., & Di Blasio, P. (2019a). Investigating linguistic coherence relations in child sexual abuse: A comparison of PTSD and non-PTSD children. Helyion, 5(2), e01163,
  53. Miragoli S., Camisasca, E., & Di Blasio, P. (2019b). Le emozioni dei bambini sessualmente abusati nelle audizioni protette: fattori individuali e situazionali. Ricerche di Psicologia, 42(1), 483-504, DOI: 10.3280/RIP2019-003003
  54. Miragoli, S., & Milani, L. (2019). L’effetto di mediazione delle emozioni traumatiche nella relazione tra PTSD e coerenza narrativa in testimonianze di Child Sexual Abuse. Maltrattamento e abuso all'infanzia, 21(2), 61-77, DOI: 10.3280/MAL2019-002005
  55. Mossige, S., Jensen, T. K., Gulbrandsen, W., Reichelt, S., & Tjersland, O. A. (2005). Children's narratives of sexual abuse: What characterizes them and how do they contribute to meaning-making?. Narrative Inquiry, 15(2), 377-404,
  56. Ornduff, S. R. (2000). Childhood maltreatment and malevolence: Quantitative research findings. Clinical Psychology Review, 20, 997-1018, DOI: 10.1016/S0272-7358(99)00021-5
  57. Pennebaker, J. W., & Francis, M. E. (1996). Cognitive, emotional, and language processes in disclosure. Cognition and Emotion, 10(6), 601-626, DOI: 10.1080/026999396380079
  58. Pennebaker, J. W., Boyd, R. L., Jordan, K., & Blackburn, K. (2015a). The development and psychometric properties of LIWC2015. Austin: University of Texas at Austin, TX. Diponibile online: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/31333/LIWC2015_Langu ageManual.pdf.
  59. Pennebaker, J. W., Francis, M. E., & Booth, R. J. (2001). Linguistic inquiry and word count (LIWC): LIWC 2001. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  60. Perry, B. D., & Pate, J. E. (1994). Neurodevelopment and the psychobiological roots of post-traumatic stress disorder. In L. F. Koziol & C. E. Stout (Eds.), The neuropsychology of mental disorders: A practical guide; the neuropsychology of mental disorders: A practical guide (pp. 129-146). Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas, Publisher. Disponibile online: https://www.proquest.com/books/neurodevelopment-psychobiological-roots-post/docview/618562371/se-2?accountid=9941.
  61. Radell, M. L., Hamza, E. G. A., Daghustani, W. H., Perveen, A., & Moustafa, A. A. (2021). The impact of different types of abuse on depression. Depression Research and Treatment, 12, DOI: 10.1155/2021/6654503
  62. Resick. P. A., Schnicke, M. K. & Markway. B. G. (1991). The relationship between cognitive content and posttraumatic stress disorder. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy: New York, NY.
  63. Simon, VA., Feiring, C., & Cleland, CM. (2014). Early Stigmatization, PTSD, and Perceived Negative Reactions of Others Predict Subsequent Strategies for Processing Child Sexual Abuse. Psychology of Violence, 6(1), 112-123,
  64. Tangney, J. P. (1998). How does guilt differ from shame? In J. Bybee (Ed.), Guilt and children; guilt and children (pp. 1-17)). Academic Press: San Diego, CA, DOI: 10.1016/B978-012148610-5/50002-3.
  65. Taylor, S. E. (1983). Adjustment to threatening events: A theory of cognitive adaptation. American Psychologist, 38(11), 1161-1173, DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.38.11.1161
  66. Terres des Hommes & CISMAI (2021). Seconda Indagine nazionale sul maltrattamento dei bambini e degli adolescenti. Disponibile online: https://www.garanteinfanzia.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/ii-indagine-nazionale-maltrattamento-2021.pdf.
  67. Tyler, K. A. (2002). Social and emotional outcomes of childhood sexual abuse: A review of recent research. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 7(6), 567-589, DOI: 10.1016/S1359-1789(01)00047-7
  68. Ullman, S. E., & Najdowski, C. J. (2009). Correlates of serious suicidal ideation and attempts in female adult sexual assault survivors. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 39(1), 47-57,
  69. Ullman, S. E., Filipas, H. H., Townsend, S. M., & Starzynski, L. L. (2007). Psychosocial correlates of PTSD symptom severity in sexual assault survivors. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20(5), 821-831,
  70. Ullman, S. E., Peter-Hagene, L. C., & Relyea, M. (2014). Coping, emotion regulation, and self-blame as mediators of sexual abuse and psychological symptoms in adult sexual assault. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 23(1), 74-93, DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2014.864747
  71. Walsh, K., DiLillo, D., & Scalora, M. J. (2011). The cumulative impact of sexual revictimization on emotion regulation difficulties: An examination of female inmates. Violence Against Women, 17(8), 1103-1118, DOI: 10.1177/1077801211414165
  72. Wang, Z. Y., Hu, M., Yu, T. L., & Yang, J. (2019). The relationship between childhood maltreatment and risky sexual behaviors: a meta-analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(19), 3666,
  73. Whitfield, C. L., Anda, R. F., Dube, S. R., & Felitti, V. J. (2003). Violent childhood experiences and the risk of intimate partner violence in adults: Assessment in a large health maintenance organization. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18(2), 166-185, DOI: 10.1177/0886260502238733
  74. World Health Organization. (2003). Guidelines for medico-legal care of victims of sexual violence. Disponibile online: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/42788/?sequence=1.
  75. Young, T. L., Riggs, M., & Robinson, J. L. (2011). Childhood sexual abuse severity reconsidered: A factor structure of CSA characteristics. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse: Research, Treatment, & Program Innovations for Victims, Survivors, & Offenders, 20(4), 373-395, DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2011.590124

Rachele Maria Valentini, Il ruolo attivo della vittima in caso di abuso sessuale: conseguenze in adolescenza in "MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL’INFANZIA" 3/2022, pp 107-127, DOI: 10.3280/MAL2022-003006