Personality disorders in child sexual abuse victims

Abstract

The main aim of the present study is to offer an updated review of the international studies published on personality disorders in child sexual abuse victims. The different papers were classified according to the most frequently found topics regarding this issue, with special focus on antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder. The studies reviewed provide inconclusive results, which demonstrate the need for longitudinal studies that could test the directionality of the relationship between child sexual abuse, personality traits, and personality disorders. The concept of resilience is emphasized in order to explain the interindividual differences that are found in victims of the same traumatic event.