A Scoping Review on the Psychosocial Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Girl Child in Sub-Saharan Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22256771 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Tsholofelo Keikabile (0000-0001-6220-7283, North-West University, corresponding author), Frans Koketso Matlakala (0000-0002-7207-4952, North-West University), Curwyn Mapaling (0000-0003-2731-9081, University of Johannesburg) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Pages | 477-493 |
| Publication date | 2024-04-19 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | E-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2720-7722 • E-ISSN: 2720-7722 |
| Publisher | Noyam Publishers (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.38159/ehass.20245410 |
| OpenAlex | W4394953894 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 32 |
Child sexual abuse has become a global phenomenon. The statistics of sexual abuse of a girl child by relatives and/or other people known to the girl child are shocking. Various factors predispose a girl child to be susceptible to sexual abuse. As a result, the purpose of this study was to review the existing literature on the psychosocial effects of sexual abuse on a girl child. The study used a scoping review guided by PRISMA-ScR guidelines. African Journals Online, Sabinet African Journals, EBSCOHost, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were used in the study to compile papers that were assessed for their coverage of the psychosocial impacts of child sexual abuse on girls between 2012 and 2023. The collected data was narratively analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that child sexual abuse has an impact on the mental health of the girl child which leads to their behavioural change. It further revealed that children are afraid to disclose sexual abuse as they fear secondary victimisation in the community. It was recommended that community awareness and education be organised to equip community members about the impact of stigmatisation on victims, and appropriate ways must be created to respond to the disclosure of sexual abuse. This study contributes to the academic field of child psychology and social work by offering a comprehensive analysis of the psychosocial impacts of child sexual abuse on girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, identifying gaps in current literature, and providing evidence-based recommendations for community and policy-level interventions. Its findings underscore the critical need for gender- and age-specific research and interventions to mitigate the profound effects of sexual abuse on vulnerable populations. Keywords: Effects, Girl Child, Psychosocial, Sexual Abuse, Scoping Review
Child abuse · Child sexual abuse · Criminology · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Girl · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Sexual abuse · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Child Abuse and Trauma · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology
The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions
Cultural Issues in Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse
How is Covid-19 pandemic impacting mental health of children and adolescents
Repeat Rape and Multiple Offending Among Undetected Rapists
Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures
Increased risk of HIV-infection among school-attending orphans in rural Zimbabwe
Some Impediments to Child Sexual Abuse Interventions and Corresponding Social Work Implications
Scoping studies
Child Sexual Abuse within Educational Settings
| Highly cited | No |
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