Exposure to traumatic events in childhood may lead to the development of important clinical manifestations such as post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often associated with internal defences of a dissociative nature. The present study aims to verify if and how memory tasks and levels of suggestibility are affected by PTSD in children called to testify in cases of suspected sexual abuse. One hundred and fourteen participants (children and adolescents) were recruited, of which 65 developed PTSD following the reported abusive experience. A greater suggestive vulnerability was detected in children with PTSD than in those who had not developed post-traumatic symptoms. Furthermore, the study assessed the relationship between immediate and delayed suggestibility and other symptomatic manifestations associated with trauma, such as anxiety, depression, anger and dissociation.
Effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on interrogative suggestibility in minor witnesses of sexual abuse
Monia Vagni;Tiziana Maiorano;Daniela Pajardi
2022
Abstract
Exposure to traumatic events in childhood may lead to the development of important clinical manifestations such as post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often associated with internal defences of a dissociative nature. The present study aims to verify if and how memory tasks and levels of suggestibility are affected by PTSD in children called to testify in cases of suspected sexual abuse. One hundred and fourteen participants (children and adolescents) were recruited, of which 65 developed PTSD following the reported abusive experience. A greater suggestive vulnerability was detected in children with PTSD than in those who had not developed post-traumatic symptoms. Furthermore, the study assessed the relationship between immediate and delayed suggestibility and other symptomatic manifestations associated with trauma, such as anxiety, depression, anger and dissociation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
