Sexual abuse experienced in childhood: A predisposing factor for the development of eating disorders in females

An unacknowledged trauma is like a wound that never heals over and may start to bleed again at any time (Miller, 1984, as cited in Kearney-Cooke & Striegel-Moore, 1994, p. 305). Previous research has suggested a strong relationship between child sexual abuse and the development of a wide range o.f maladaptive responses among females (Browne & Finkelhor, 1986; Sloan & Leichner, 1986). These maladaptive responses may include the development of behavioral, physical, and psychological problems. One of the more recent manifestations of psychosomatic symptoms being investigated is the possible linkage between child sexual abuse (CSA) and eating disorders, specifically anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (Beitchman et al., 1992; Browne & Finkelhor, 1986; Calam & Slade, 1988; Gelinas, 1983; Goldfarb, 1987; Miller & McCluskey-Fawcett, 1993; Rorty, Yager, & Rossotto, 1994). Despite numerous studies to date, research has been unable to identify clear-cut cause of anorexia or bulimia. However, several correlations between child sexual abuse and eating disorders appears to be indicated