Child sexual abuse (CSA) includes abusive contact experiences, which habitually impact the victim’s whole life. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of six CSA experiences with physical contact, including penetration, in a representative sample of the Spanish population. Participants were 1071 Spanish adults (53% males; M_age: 45.37) who completed the Child Sexual Abuse Experiences Questionnaire. The victim’s age at the first episode, the perpetrator’s characteristics, and the number of times that each experience occurred were analyzed, taking into account gender differences. Results were reported for every experience independently. The most prevalent age at the first experience was from 6 years old onwards, but with differences in some experiences. The abuses usually happened more than once, committed by the same person. The most prevalent perpetrator is a male, although a female perpetrator is more prevalent in male victims. Most of the abuses were committed by an adult acquaintance, a strange adult, and other minors, with some gender differences. The implications of the results concerning every CSA experience are discussed, highlighting their value for future research and practice, the design of preventive programs, and early detection of CSA.

Two groups of women were assessed in psychological aspects considered by some authors of interest for personal well-being. The sample consisted of 118 women, 58 diagnosed with breast cancer and 60 healthy women, of similar ages and personal circumstances. The purpose of the study was: (a) to explore the existence of stressful life events in the women's history and their degree of subjective distress and (b) to determine whether or not there is an emotional avoidance style in the group of women with breast cancer. The following assessment instruments were employed: the “Cuestionario de Formas de Afrontamiento” (CEA), the Five-Factor Inventory NEO-PI-R, and the State-Trait Anger Inventory (STAXI). The results revealed more stressful vital events in the last two years in the group of women with breast cancer and significant differences in the degree of current distress. They also obtained higher scores in current anger, resignation, and neuroticism.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a type of maltreatment that occurs in practically all countries and social statuses. Due to the taboo and shame that surrounds it, CSA is a problem universally silenced despite the important consequences (both physical and psychological) that it has for the victim and their family. This work aimed to study the correlates of CSA in Mexican women. Our sample comprised 1058 women ranged from 18 to 73 years (M = 40.19; SD = 10.24). They completed an anonymous online survey including questions about all the different types of abuse, questions about who perpetrated it, at what age it happened, and whether the victim disclosed the abuse. Our results showed that, depending on the type of abuse, from 13.9% to 65.8% of the participants had suffered at least one episode of CSA throughout their childhood. The first episode typically occurred between 6 and 12 years old, with the perpetrator being a male. The youngest women reported higher rates of being shown pornography by a family member, whereas the oldest ones reported higher rates of exhibitionism by a stranger. Only 31.3% of the sample disclosed the abuse, usually to their mother or a peer. Differences among the correlates of the different types of abuse, the age of the victims, and the relationship with the perpetrator are discussed as well as the victims’ feelings of being believed when they disclosed the abuse.

El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la presencia de patrones de personalidad patológicos y explorar su relación con los síndromes clínicos, en una muestra de 212 varones jugadores patológicos pertenecientes a un centro de rehabilitación. Asimismo explorar la posible existencia de perfiles patológicos, comunes en los jugadores, en los que puedan coexistir distintos trastornos de personalidad y síndromes clínicos. Se ha utilizado el Inventario Clínico Multiaxial de Millon (MCMI-II). Los resultados muestran cuatro patrones de personalidad clínicos de mayor frecuencia: dependiente, obsesivo-compulsivo, narcisista y antisocial. Los síndromes clínicos más frecuentes son el abuso de alcohol y el abuso de drogas. Se analiza la relación existente entre cada uno de los patrones de personalidad y los síndromes clínicos. Posteriormente se realiza un análisis de cluster y se identifican dos perfiles de personalidad diferenciados, con rasgos pertenecientes a distintas escalas, que se han denominado “perfil antisocial” y “perfil obsesivo compulsivo”, cada uno de ellos se relaciona de manera muy diferente con los síndromes clínicos. Mostrando el grupo antisocial, de forma estadísticamente significativa, puntuaciones más altas en todos los síndromes clínicos, siendo cercanas a la puntuación clínica en abuso de alcohol, abuso de drogas, pensamiento psicótico y trastorno delirante.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a global public health concern. We present real testimonies of adults recalling their childhood, clinical reflections and scientific research data. Patients’ testimonies bring professionals closer to understanding their painful reality. All testimonies are from women who gave their consent to use their statement. Doctors and health professionals need to know this reality and be prepared to prevent and cope with abuse.

There is growing interest in the adaptation of psychological questionnaires in different countries, due to the need for cross-cultural research using the same tests adapted to diverse populations. This paper presents the standardization of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991, 2007) in Spain and Chile (both Spanish-speaking countries). The Spanish sample was made up of 940 people (461 men and 479 women), and the Chilean sample of 569 people (231 men and 338 women). Results revealed that the Chilean means were higher than those of the Spanish sample at confidence level 99.9%, although the associated effect sizes were generally small to moderate (partial eta-square between 0.008 and 0.187). Sex differences in the variables evaluated were commented on, and the importance of cross-cultural research and the influence of sex on personality and psychopathology variables were discussed.