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Childhood Sexual Experiences with Adults Reported by Women with Eating Disorders: An Extended Series

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

R. L. Palmer ,
R. Oppenheimer ,
A. Dignon ,
D. A. Chaloner  and
K. Howells
R. L. Palmer*
Affiliation:
University of Leicester
R. Oppenheimer
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Social Services Department and University of Leicester
A. Dignon
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Leicester
D. A. Chaloner
Affiliation:
Leicestershire Health Authority
K. Howells
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham, University of Leicester
*
∗Academic Department of Psychiatry, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW
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Abstract

A total of 158 women presenting with clinical eating disorders have been investigated using a self-report questionnaire and subsequent interview concerning their recollections of sexual experiences with adults before the age of 16 and later adverse sexual experiences. About a third reported events in childhood and over half described some adverse experiences. It may be that these experiences are relevant to the subsequent illness in some cases, but greater certainty must await further research. In the meantime, inquiring about such matters would seem to be advisable in the assessment and therapy of eating-disordered patients.

Type
Lecture
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 156 , Issue 5 , May 1990 , pp. 699 - 703
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1990 

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