Family connectedness

Article Outline

• Copyright

Childhood sexual abuse produces scars which last well into adulthood. One of the known long-term outcomes of this trauma is suicidal ideation and actual completed suicide. Once abuse has been diagnosed and its immediate consequences addressed, it would be helpful for practitioners to know of interventions which could mitigate its long-term adverse outcomes.

In this issue of The Journal, Eisenberg et al provide some potential insights into this issue. Drawing from a survey of over 80,000 children in Minnesota schools, this group confirmed that sexual abuse was common (over 5% of respondents) and was often accompanied by suicidal ideation and actual attempts. The authors determined, however, that some potentially modifiable factors significantly attenuated these risks. Foremost among these was what they called “family connectedness”—a measure associated with the sense that parents were present, available to talk, and demonstrated care and respect for privacy. This study is must reason for anyone involved in the counseling of abused children and their families.