Childhood Sexual Exploitation: Long-Term Effects Among a Group of Nursing Students

Subjects who reported incidents of childhood sexual exploitation had lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression than the comparison group and have implications for long-term effects of sexual exploitation in this special population of young adults.

Abstract

The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine differences in levels of self-esteem and depression between students who reported incidents of sexual exploitation in childhood and those who did not. A nonprobability sample of 55 nursing students enrolled in a university-based program completed the Childhood Sexual Experiences Survey, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results showed significant differences between groups in self-esteem (F = 4.387, p = 0.041) and in depression (F = 8.015, p = 0.007). Subjects who reported incidents of childhood sexual exploitation had lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression than the comparison group. Results support previous research and have implications for long-term effects of sexual exploitation in this special population of young adults.