Grant: Foundation Grant

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is an important public health problem with recent estimates showing that one in five women and one in ten men report being sexually abused before the age of 18. CSA is associated with an increased risk for mental health disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, criminality and suicide as well as adverse physical health symptoms. The inter-generational transmission of CSA and the link with later traumas (e.g. victimization in the context of romantic relationships) underscore the need for early identification and implementation of efficient strategies to break the cycle of violence. The proposed research program aims to address current gaps in the scientific literature concerning the mechanisms linking CSA and mental health outcomes. Our program will also test the incremental value of relying on a tailored approach to foster recovery in all victims of CSA, compared to the 'one-size-fits-all' current approach. The objectives are to: 1) disentangle the diversity of mental health profiles in victims of CSA and identify key predictors (e.g. emotion regulation) that contribute prospectively to health outcomes; and 2) implement and assess the effectiveness of a modular approach based on the most renowned evidence-based therapy to treat CSA victims (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - TF-CBT). This research program will contribute to knowledge on theoretical models of recovery in children and youth. Documentation of the consequences of CSA will provide crucial information to health planning agencies in terms of needed services. The program will also offer a unique opportunity to implement a personalized, patient-centered approach to treatment for CSA children and youth in Canada. Such an approach could be associated with a substantial reduction in health costs and significantly reduce the risks of morbidity among this vulnerable population.