Mental Health Care for Children with A History of Sexual Abuse: Perspectives from Parents and Clinicians
| dc.contributor.advisor | Azeb Asaminew | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Fikirte Girma | |
| dc.contributor.author | Dawit Mesfin | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-17T07:23:04Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-17T07:23:04Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Compared to their peers, CSA survivors had higher rates of internalizing, externalizing, and thought disorders, as well as higher rates of health risk behaviours, systemic inflammation, poor oral health, STDs, high-conflict relationships, benefit use, financial hardship, antisocial behaviour, and cumulative issues across several domains in adulthood. When seeking mental health care, parents of children who have experienced sexual abuse present particular difficulties. They frequently struggle with emotions of shame, guilt, and selfblame, which can make it difficult for them to ask for assistance for their child. Parents may also face obstacles like financial hardships, shame attached to sexual abuse, and restricted access to specialized treatments. Despite the well-established link between childhood sexual abuse and mental health problems, there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding the perspectives of parents and clinicians on mental health care for these children. Parents play a crucial role in advocating for their children's well-being and accessing appropriate services, while clinicians are responsible for providing evidence-based interventions and support. Understanding their perspectives is vital for the development of effective interventions and policies. Exploring the perspectives of parents can shed light on these challenges and inform strategies to enhance their engagement in their child's mental health care. Clinicians, on the other hand, are at the forefront of providing mental health care to children with a history of sexual abuse. Their experiences, knowledge, and attitudes significantly influence the quality of care delivered. However, research on clinicians' perspectives in this domain is limited. Understanding their viewpoints is crucial to identify gaps in knowledge, training, and resources, and to develop targeted interventions to improve the delivery of mental health care for the society. This study aims to fill the existing gap in the literature by exploring the perspectives of parents on mental health care for children with a history of sexual abuse. By examining the challenges, barriers, and opportunities, this research seeks to provide valuable insights into the development of effective interventions and policies. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8164 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa Universtiy | |
| dc.subject | Mental Health Care for Children with A History of Sexual Abuse | |
| dc.title | Mental Health Care for Children with A History of Sexual Abuse: Perspectives from Parents and Clinicians | |
| dc.type | Thesis |