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The Long-term Physical Health and Healthcare Utilization of Women Who Were Sexually Abused as Children

University of Southern California, USA

Jennie G. Noll

University of Southern California, USA

Philip J. Moore

George Washington University, USA

Frank W. Putnam

Children’s Hospital Medical Center—Cincinnati, OH, USA

Penelope K. Trickett

University of Southern California, USA

This article addresses the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and the long-term physical health and healthcare utilization of 148 female participants in an eight-year prospective study. Five factors of physical health emerged: General Health; Vegetative Health Symptoms; Colds and Flu; Gastrointestinal/Gynecological; and Healthcare Utilization. Abused females scored higher on the healthcare utilization and gastrointestinal/gynecological factors than comparison females. Abused females experiencing multiple perpetrators, violence, longer duration and older age at onset endorsed significantly more gastrointestinal/gynecological problems than did the other abused females and the comparison group. Findings suggest that: (1) sexual abuse affects long-term health outcomes and healthcare utilization; and (2) physical health sequelae of abuse may differentially affect females, depending upon the pattern of abuse characteristics.

Key Words: healthcare utilization • maltreatment • physical health • sexual abuse

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 7, No. 5, 583-597 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105302007005677


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