Comparison of general psychological health among Iranian students with and without history of sexual abuse

Although the definition of sexual abuse is slightly different for the child and the adult, but it generally refers to behavior that is intended to achieve sexual pleasure without mutual rational consent. Earlier studies indicate that this phenomenon has a devastating effect on the general and mental health of victims. The purpose of this study was to compare the general health status of students with & without history of sexual abuse. For this purpose, in a comparative post-event study that included 256volunteer students in Tehran (fall & winter 1395), the general health status and history of sexual abuse among subjects were studied and compared. The results of U Mann-Whitney tests (Bonferroni corrected), indicated that the general health of the group with a history of sexual abuse was more threatened than the normal group. Also among the different subscales of general health include Somatic symptoms, Depression, Anxiety and insomnia and Social dysfunction, only somatic symptoms was different significantly between two groups and it was more complained in abused group. It should be noted that distribution of depression was not significantly different between two groups, but it was near significant level and the group with a history of sexual abuse was more complained. Despite the simple research method and conditions in all various stages of this study, it seems that the phenomenon of sexual abuse and its complications is also serious in our country (Iran).