Psychological Outcomes Associated With Child Sexual Abuse on Children in Early Childhood Education Ages 5-8 in Nairobi City County, Kenya
- April 16, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Education, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue IV, April 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705
Ruth W. Walioli (Ph.D.)1, Rachel Kamau-Kang’ethe( Ph.D.)2
1, 2 Early Childhood and Special Needs Education, Kenyatta University, Nairobi Kenya
Abstract: Child Sexual Abuse CSA is an ordeal that is traumatizing and leaves children feeling totally hopeless when coping mechanisms fail. This results in an emotional and psychological baggage which weighs negatively on Early Childhood Learners. The aim of the current study was to establish the psychological effects of child sexual abuse children ages 5-8 years in Nairobi City County. The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC) was used to assess the psychological outcomes of the CSA survivors. This study used a descriptive survey design and the sampling technique was purposive. It was located in Nairobi City County. The study site was Gender Violence Centre GVRC Nairobi Women’s Hospital. The target population comprised of sexually abused children and their parents/guardians. The independent variable for this study was CSA, while the dependent variable was the psychological outcomes of CSA. The TSCYC was analysed using the TSCYC software which generated scores for the sexually abused children. Guidelines from the TSCYC Manual were used to determine the scores. These scores were converted to percentages and presented in a pie chart. Findings showed that, outcomes of psychological disorders affected children through symptoms of anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study recommended inclusion of age appropriate life skills in school curriculums and teacher training programs on signs of CSA, assessment as well as procedures of reporting CSA.
I. BACKGROUND
The CSA ordeal involves invasion of a child’s greatest private zone, hence violating a child’s psychological and physical integrity. It creates fear in the boy or girl, who may be harmed for life physically and mentally. Although the psychological outcomes of CSA survivors are under-researched in Africa, studies show that these outcomes are prevalent in this cohort of survivors.
Paolucci, Genuis and Violato (2001) conducted a Meta-analysis of 37 published studies on effects of CSA involving 25,367 people. Factors taken into account included gender, socio-economic status, type of abuse, age when abused, relationship with perpetrator and number of abuse incidents. CSA was found to have strong effects on PTSD, depression, suicide, sexual promiscuity, victim–perpetrator cycle and academic performance.
