Child Sexual Abuse in Henan Province, China: Associations With Sadness, Suicidality and Risk Behaviors Among Adolescent Girls

To assess the prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) and possible effects on mental health and risky behavior among female adolescents in China, the authors surveyed 351 students in a medical secondary school in Henan province in June 2004. Students completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire that addressed issues of unwanted sexual experiences before age 16, depression, suicidality, and risky health-related behaviors. CSAs were categorized into 12 types of nonphysical and physical contact.

One in five young women surveyed (21.9 percent) reported at least one type of CSA before age 16. One in seven (14 percent) reported CSAs involving physical contact. CSA risk was not associated with parents' education level, existence of siblings or rural/urban residence during childhood. Some indicators of poor mental health were slightly elevated among girls who had experienced noncontact CSA only, but the most significant impact was found among victims of contact CSA. That group exhibited higher rates of depression, overwhelming sadness, suicidal thinking and planning, alcohol use, smoking, fighting and having sexual intercourse.

"The risk of CSA in this sample of Chinese female adolescents seems similar to young women in many Western countries, and the pattern of associated mental health and behavioral problems is entirely consistent with international research," the authors concluded.

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