Childhood abuse uncovered in a palliative care audit

Palliative & Supportive Care
Catriona Macpherson

Abstract

This article aims to highlight potentially high levels of childhood sexual abuse within Cancer and Palliative Care Service users. During a routine audit, data was collated to quantify a perceived high level of disclosure of pre-existing psychological trauma within the palliative care caseload of a Macmillan Children and Families Therapist. Families comprised adults (generally parents or step-parents), one of whom was terminally ill or recently deceased who had direct responsibility for children and young people aged under 20 years old. Each family had at least two members using the service for advice, emotional support or counselling. A childhood sexual abuse rate of 33% for women and 10% for men was revealed. Of 59 families, 49% had one or more members who had experienced childhood sexual abuse. In addition a further 9% of adults had experienced severe physical and emotional abuse in childhood. Many families had faced multiple trauma. Palliative care clinicians have access to detailed personal and family history during a highly vulnerable transition. While confidentiality is paramount it is essential to develop better data collection methods and raise the profile of childhood sexual abuse as a major contributing factor to morb...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1991·The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science·A BifulcoZ Adler
Dec 1, 1990·Annals of Internal Medicine·D A DrossmanC M Mitchell
Apr 1, 1990·Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners·A Mairson
May 1, 1988·British Journal of Orthodontics·N M Bass
Dec 1, 1993·The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science·P E MullenG P Herbison
May 1, 1997·Palliative Medicine·J StokesD Crossley
May 10, 2001·American Journal of Public Health·B E MolnarR C Kessler
May 2, 2002·European Journal of Cancer Prevention : the Official Journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ECP)·B C ThomasM K Nair
Jul 2, 2002·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·S O DaltonC Johansen
Feb 26, 2004·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Jochen Hardt, Michael Rutter
Feb 19, 2005·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Gail E WyattPatricia A Ganz
Sep 13, 2005·Psycho-oncology·Marcus J HunterJennifer R Tunstall
Jul 26, 2006·Journal of Community Health Nursing·Donna S MartsolfBarbara L Mims
Aug 29, 2006·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·Peter SalmonChristopher Holcombe

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 4, 2013·Journal of Social Work in End-of-life & Palliative Care·Gitau MburuAlvaro Bermejo
Mar 30, 2011·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Carmella WygantEduardo Bruera
Jan 31, 2014·Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing·Sandra K CesarioJohn Maddoux
Jun 17, 2010·Calcified Tissue International·Emily R DodwellBrian Snyder
May 8, 2018·Death Studies·Lauren J BreenUNKNOWN International Work Group on Death, Dying, and Bereavement
Nov 17, 2020·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Ross William ClevelandPatricia Keefer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.