1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«The main objective is to compare children’s level of alexithymia based on their history of CSA [child sexual abuse]. Analysis also seek to test the mediational role of alexithymia in the relationship between CSA and internalized and externalized behavior problems.» (p. 2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«For the purpose of the study, 527 (67.4% girls) French-speaking children aged 6–12 years old (M = 8.68, SD = 1.83) and their parents (non-offending parental figure for the CSA group) were recruited. The sample comprised 429 sexually abused children recruited in specialized centers in Quebec, Canada. The majority of children experienced very severe (attempted or completed penetration; 61.1%) or severe (un-clothed touching; 31.9%) CSA. Two thirds of the sample reported CSA perpetrated by a family member (75.7%). In most cases, CSA involved multiple episodes (72.1%). The comparison group included 98 non-abused children (60.2% girls) recruited in schools in Quebec, Canada.» (p. 2)

Instruments :
Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«[T]he term alexithymia refers to the difficulty to identify and express feelings.» (p. 1) In this study, «[s]exually abused children were found to displayed higher difficulties to identify and express feelings as compared to their non-abused peers. Moreover, alexithymia partially mediated the relationship between CSA and both internalized and externalized behavior problems.» (p. 4) Also, «[w]hile victims tend to develop alexithymia in an effort to cope with the overwhelming effects of CSA, the current study revealed that alexithymia may rather enhance behavioral difficulties of school-aged victims.» (p. 4) Finally, «[f]indings revealed that neither severity, frequency nor identity of the perpetrator were significant predictor of alexithymia. Beyond CSA characteristics, multiple factors such as quality of parent-child relationship or parental factors may influenced emotional capacities following CSA disclosure (Langevin et al., 2016). Positive parental sensibility and responsiveness to children’s emotions are likely to foster internalized capacities to identify and express feelings in children (Cassidy, 1994; Thompson, 2013).» (p. 4) In conclusion, authors proclaim that in order «[t]o foster optimal recovery in child victims of SA [sexual abuse], treatment should target emotional identification and expression.» (p. 5)