Child Sexual Abuse-Challenging Conditions for Adult Oral Health : A Qualitative Study

• The aim was to catalyze perceptions of oral health in adults who have been exposed to child sexual abuse. Eleven participants (10 women), 19 to 56 y of age, who had experienced sexual abuse as children were purposively selected and interviewed in-depth. The participants were encouraged to describe how they perceived the effect of the sexual abuse on their oral health as adults. The interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. The collected material was analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. The theme "challenging conditions for maintaining oral health" was identified, comprising 2 categories: first, "the emotional significance," with the subcategories 1) emotional barriers and 2) powerful relief, and second, "the obstacles to oral health,' with the subcategories 1) daily self-care with complications and 2) dental appointments with dculties. The findings indicate that the experience of sexual abuse during childhood can have a negative impact on oral care in adulthood. The informants stated that oral health was of utmost importance but also associated with strong emotions. There were obstacles to maintenance of oral health that were difficult to surmount. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The study provides access to the attitudes of survivors of child sexual abuse regarding oral health and the needs and obstacles that they experience. This is important knowledge for dental professionals to optimize dental care.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Access to care

anxiety

dental fear

dental public health

dental care

child molestation

Psykologi

Psychology

access to care

anxiety

child molestation

dental care

dental fear

dental public health

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)