Biography
Kruti S. Chaliawala, PhD, CHES, is an Assistant Professor in School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University and is a passionate advocate for understanding and addressing the health disparities faced by Asian adults with a focus on childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Her research explores the nuanced experiences of Asian individuals, aiming to shed light on the intersectionality of cultural factors and health outcomes in this underrepresented population.
Liliana Rojas-Guyler, PhD, FESG, CHES, is an Associate Professor of Health Promotion & Education at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Rojas-Guyler has published and presented widely on minority health issues, particularly those relating to Latina health. Her research agenda includes determinants of health among vulnerable populations (e.g. people who have disabilities and immigrants), health behaviors, the influence of culture, and professional preparation needs of future health educators to address cultural appropriateness in health program planning.
Abstract
Childhood sexual abuse represents a significant public health concern, particularly within minority populations, where adversities and complications are prevalent but understudied. This study aims to investigate the mental health of Asian American childhood sexual abuse survivors and explore the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among Asian adults. A secondary analysis of the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data was conducted, including a final sample of 1,894 Asian adults (0.16% of the total sample size of N = 401,958). Among these participants, 16.8% (n = 1,894) reported experiencing CSA. The most common forms of abuse were inappropriate touching (11.8%, n = 224), being forced to touch someone inappropriately (7.2%, n = 136), and being forced to have sex (4%, n = 76). Regression analysis revealed that CSA was significantly associated with lower education levels (OR = 1.32) and higher income (OR = 1.79), suggesting socioeconomic factors play a role in CSA reporting. Within Asian American communities, childhood sexual abuse remains a taboo topic, leading to a reluctance among adults to engage in sexual health research. This brief report highlights the dearth of research and the stigma surrounding discussions of sexual abuse among Asian American adults. There is a critical need for early intervention programs that focus on the mental health of childhood sexual abuse survivors, particularly within minority communities such as Asian Americans. Addressing this issue can support those affected and help reduce the disparities minority populations face.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Chaliawala, Kruti S. and Rojas-Guyler, Liliana (2025) "Childhood Sexual Abuse Among Asian American Adults: Prevalence, Cultural Barriers, and Mental Health Implications," Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence: Vol. 10: Iss. 1, Article 7. https://doi.org/10.23860/dignity.2025.10.01.07
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