Examining the mental health consequences of childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner sexual violence in China: a brief review

Abstract

Purpose

Sexual violence has a profound impact on victim-survivors across the world, and these consequences extend beyond cultural boundaries. While the mental health consequences are well established across the Western world, less is known about the impact on victims in China. This is somewhat surprising given the size of the population. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to provide a rapid review of existing studies that have investigated mental health outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual violence in China.

Design/methodology/approach

In this brief review paper, the authors conduct and provide a thematic synthesis and scrutiny of evidence surrounding two rarely reported yet common types of sexual violence experienced by victim-survivors in China, intimate partner sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse, examining the impact on survivor mental health.

Findings

Taken together, studies show wide-ranging and severe psychological consequences, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality and identity difficulties and suicidal attempts and ideations.

Originality/value

The unique cultural traditions that appear to exacerbate victim-survivor abuse experiences, non-disclosure practices and mental health outcomes are also identified and considered with future interventions in mind.

Citation

Li, E.M., Willmott, D. and Trivedi-Bateman, N. (2025), "Examining the mental health consequences of childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner sexual violence in China: a brief review", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-12-2024-0219