1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«[T]his systematic review aimed to better understand the process of CSA [childhood sexual abuse] disclosure from young people’s perspectives, by understanding how children choose to disclose CSA and whom they choose to disclose to. More specifically, the primary purpose of this systematic review was to collect a large body of literature and synthesize research-based evidence regarding the recipients of children’s and adolescents’ CSA disclosures. A second objective of this review was to identify patterns of developmental trends and gender differences in the recipients of CSA disclosures.» (p. 2)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«This systematic review aimed to answer three questions: [t]o whom do children and adolescents disclose CSA?; [h]ow do children and adolescents choose whom to disclose to?; [a]re there any differences in the recipients of disclosures from younger and older children or adolescents?; and [a]re there any differences in the recipients of disclosures from boys and girls?» (p. 2)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«Articles included in the review were limited to those written or published between 1990 and 2017. […] Comprehensive and systematic electronic searches were conducted in the following databases: ASSIA, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Social Services Abstracts, and Web of Science.» (p. 2) Thirty-seven articles were selected.

Type de traitement des données :
Réflexion critique

3. Résumé

The results reveal that «peers and parents, particularly mothers, were the most common recipients of disclosures. This finding is consistent with previous research indicating that support from parents and peers has a significant impact on children’s and adolescents’ emotional stability, well-being, and self-concept […]. Therefore, it is not surprising that young people disclose CSA most commonly to peers and mothers, as they are likely significant sources of support. The studies in this review consistently found that young people are less likely to disclose to their father, rather than their mother or peers. These findings are consistent with previous research indicating that both boys and girls perceive mothers to be closer and more supportive and that adolescents are more likely to confide personal information in their mothers, rather than their fathers […]. In addition, fathers tend to communicate less about topics related to sex […], which may lead to adolescents feeling less comfortable disclosing to their fathers. [Moreover, studies] revealed that younger children are more likely to disclose to their parents, whereas peer disclosures are particularly important for adolescents. Developmentally speaking, this finding is consistent with the process of individuation; as children develop into adolescents, there is a shift in emotional attachment and perceived social support away from their relationship with parents, and towards their friendships with peers […].» (p. 16)