1. Objectifs

Intentions :
Cet article dresse les caractéristiques des adolescentes, ayant été victimes d’abus physique ou sexuel durant leur jeunesse, qui consultent pour des troubles de l’humeur.

Questions/Hypothèses :
«How do adolescent girls with such a history of P/SA [physical or sexual abuse] consulting in a mood disorder clinic differ from girls without such a history? What are the demographics, personal antecedents, symptoms and diagnoses associated with abuse among these adolescents?» (p. 115)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«A retrospective chart review of all adolescents consulting in a pediatric mood disorder clinic in Montreal from August 2005 to October 2007 was carried out to collect data regarding the demographics, personal and familial antecedents, symptoms and diagnoses of these adolescents.» (p. 115) Cet article analyse donc les dossiers de cinquante-cinq filles victimes d’abus dans leur jeunesse.

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«In our study, the prevalence of mood disorder or depressive symptoms was not significantly higher among girls with a history of P/SA compared with those with no such history. […] The lack of difference between the two groups might in part be explained by the fact that all patient were referred to this specialized outpatient clinic because they presented with mood symptoms (selection bias).» (p. 116) «Regarding suicide, 68% of girls with a history of P/SA had made at least one attempt compared with 49% of girls without such a history. Though the difference is not statistically significant […], it is clinically meaningful and should be of concern to clinicians. […] Furthermore, proportionally more adolescent girls with a history of P/SA than girls without such a history engaged in self-harm […]. Moreover, girls with a history of abuse displayed statistically significant relational problems with parents and with peers and although not statistically significant, came more often from broken families […]. Although no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of depressive symptoms and diagnoses, what clearly emerges from this exploratory study is a picture of self-destructive behaviors and relational problems.» (p. 117)