Psychosocial factors associated with the assessment of testimony credibility in Child Sexual Abuse

  1. Cabezas-García, María 1
  2. de la Peña Fernández, María Elena 2
  3. Andreu Rodríguez, José Manuel 2
  1. 1 Departamento de de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología Clínica. Universidad Complutense de Madrid (España). Facultdad de Salud, Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid (España)
  2. 2 Departamento de de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología Clínica. Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Somosaguas, 28223).
Revista:
Anales de psicología

ISSN: 0212-9728 1695-2294

Ano de publicación: 2022

Volume: 38

Número: 2

Páxinas: 307-315

Tipo: Artigo

DOI: 10.6018/ANALESPS.418161 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openDIGITUM editor

Outras publicacións en: Anales de psicología

Resumo

Background: Credibility assessment in Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) poses a major challenge for forensic psychology. The lack of evidence supporting the determination of the real occurrence of the abuse requires additional approaches to assess credibility. The purpose of this research is to explore the existence of psychosocial factors associated with testimony credibility in CSA. Method: Ninety-nine CSA cases characterized as Credible (C) or Not Credible (NC) were evaluated. The age range of the group spanned 4 to 17 years (M = 11.31, SD = 3.92) with 87 (85.9%) cases corresponding to females. Group C incuded 68 cases and NC group the remaining 31. The relationship between the expert opinion (C/NC) and psychosocial factors was evaluated using contingency tables and chi-square analysis. Results: Significant differences in variables such as the presence of sexual and emotional imbalances, dysfunctional family dynamics, parent litigation, or legal actions against a relative were found. Conclusions: Certain variables were commonly present in the NC group, such as symptoms of a sexual nature, dysfunctional familiar dynamics, divorced parents, presence of litigation between parents, or legal actions against the biological father.  

Referencias bibliográficas

  • Alaggia, R., Collin-Vézina, D., & Lateef, R. (2019). Facilitators and barriers to child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosures: A research update (2000–2016). Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 20(2), 260-283. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838017697312
  • Amado, B. G., Arce, R., & Fariña, F. (2015). Undeutsch hypothesis and criteria-based content analysis: A meta-analytic review. The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context, 7(1), 3-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpal.2014.11.002
  • Assink, M., van der Put, C. E., Meeuwsen, M. W., de Jong, N. M., Oort, F. J., Stams, G. J. J., & Hoeve, M. (2019). Risk factors for child sexual abuse victimization: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 145(5), 459. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000188
  • Aydin, B., Akbas, S., Turla, A., Dundar, C., Yuce, M., & Karabekiroglu, K. (2015). Child sexual abuse in Turkey: An analysis of 1002 cases. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 60(1), 61-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12566
  • Baita, S., & Moreno, P. (2015). Abuso sexual infantil. Cuestiones relevantes para su tratamiento en la justicia [Child sexual abuse. Issues relevant to their treatment in court]. Montevideo: UNIFEF Uruguay
  • Barth, J., Bermetz, L., Heim, E., Trelle, S., & Tonia, T. (2014). The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Public Health, 58(3), 469-483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0426-1
  • Benavente, B., Casado, S., Orte, C., & Ballester, L. (2016). Prevalencia del abuso sexual en la infancia. Un estudio en estudiantes universitarios [Prevalence of sexual abuse in childhood. A study in university students]. Barcelona: Ediciones Octaedro, SL.
  • Benia, L. R., Hauck-Filho, N., Dillenburg, M., & Stein, L. M. (2015). The NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 24(3), 259–279. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2015.1006749
  • Berlinerblau, V. (2016). Abuso sexual contra niños, niñas y adolescentes: Una guía para tomar acciones y proteger sus derechos [Sexual abuse of children and adolescents: A guide to taking action and protecting their rights]. UNICEF
  • Bridges, A., Faust, D., & Ahern, D. (2009). Methods for the identification of sexually abused children. In K. Kuehnle & M. Connell (Eds.), The evaluation of child sexual abuse allegations: A comprehensive guide to assessment and testimony (pp. 21–47). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Echeburúa, E., & Guerricaechevarría, C. (2005). Abuso sexual en la infancia: víctimas y agresores [Child sexual abuse: victims and aggressors]. Ariel.
  • Carlstedt, A., Nilsson, T., Hofvander, B., Brimse, A., Innala, S., & Anckarsäter, H. (2009). Does victim age differentiate between perpetrators of sexual child abuse? A study of mental health, psychosocial circumstances, and crimes. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 21(4), 442-454. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063209346699
  • Celik, G., Tahiroğlu, A., Yoruldu, B., Varmiş, D., Çekin, N., Avci, A., Evliyaoğlu, N., & Nasiroğlu, S. (2018). Recantation of sexual abuse disclosure among child victims: Accommodation syndrome. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27(6), 612-621. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2018.1477216
  • Cortés Arboleda, M. R., Cantón Duarte, J., & Cantón-Cortés, D. (2011). Naturaleza de los abusos sexuales a menores y consecuencias en la salud mental de las víctimas [Nature of child sexual abuse and consequences for the victims' mental health]. Gaceta Sanitaria, 25(2), 157-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2010.10.009
  • Díaz, J.A., & Ruíz, M.A. (2005). Abuso sexual infantil en España. Aproximación cualitativa y cuantitativa. Protocolos de notificación [Child sexual abuse in Spain. Qualitative and quantitative approach. Notification protocols]. Madrid: Instituto Madrileño del Menor y la Familia Consejería de Familia y Asuntos Sociales.
  • González, J. L., & Manzanero, A. L. (2018). Obtención y valoración del testimonio. Protocolo holístico de evaluación de la prueba testifical [Obtaining and assessing testimony. Holistic Model for the Evaluation of the Testimony]. Madrid: Ediciones Pirámide.
  • González-García, F., & Carrasco, M. A. (2016). Evaluación del perfil psicosocial en menores víctimas de abuso sexual: Diferencias por sexo y edad [Evaluation of the psychosocial profile in child victims of sexual abuse: Differences by sex and group]. Revista De Psicología Clínica Con Niños y Adolescentes, 3(2), 87-98.
  • Gutiérrez, C., Steinberg, M., & Capella, C. (2016). Develación de las agresiones sexuales: Estudio de caracterización de niños, niñas y adolescentes chilenos [Disclosure of sexual assaults: Study of characterization of Chilean children and adolescents]. Psykhe, 25(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.7764/psykhe.25.2.852
  • Hidalgo, P. (2014). Guía de indicadores para la detección de casos de violencia sexual y pautas de actuación dirigidas a los Centros de Protección de Menores [Guide to indicators for the detection of cases of sexual violence and guidelines for action targeting child protection centers]. España: Consejería de Igualdad, Salud y Políticas Sociales.
  • Juárez López, J. R. (2002). La credibilidad del testimonio infantil ante supuestos de abuso sexual: Indicadores psicosociales [The credibility of child testimony in the face of alleged sexual abuse: Psychosocial indicators]. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Universitat de Girona.
  • Köhnken, G. (2004). Statement Validity Analysis and the 'detection of the truth.' In P.-A. Granhag & L. Strömwall (Eds.) The detection of deception in forensic contexts (pp. 41–63). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511490071.003
  • Köhnken, G., Manzanero, A. L., & Scott, M. T. (2015). Análisis de la validez de las declaraciones: mitos y limitaciones [Analysis of the validity of declarations: myths and limitations]. Anuario de Psicología Jurídica, 25(1), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apj.2015.01.004
  • Lamb, M. E., Orbach, Y., Hershkowitz, I., Esplin, P. W., & Horowitz, D. (2007). A structured forensic interview protocol improves the quality and informativeness of investigative interviews with children: A review of research using the NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol. Child Abuse & Neglect, 31(11-12), 1201–1231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.03.021
  • López, F., Carpintero, E., Hernández, A., Martín, M. J., & Fuertes, A. (1995). Prevalencia y consecuencias del abuso sexual al menor en España [Prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse in Spain]. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19(9), 1039-1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(95)00066-H
  • Manzanero, A. L., & González, J. L. (2015). Protocolo Holístico de Evaluación de la Prueba Testifica [A Holistic Model for the Evaluation of the Testimony]. Papeles del Psicólogo 36(2) 125-138
  • Manzanero, A. L., & Muñoz, J. M. (2011). La prueba pericial psicológica sobre la credibilidad del testimonio: Reflexiones psico-legales [Psychological expert evidence on testimony credibility: Psycho-legal reflections]. SEPIN.
  • Martínez, M., Baena, S., Crissien, T. J., Pérez García, I., & Santolaya, J. (2018). Sentencia judicial, delito sexual y pericial psicológica: enfoque transcultural [Judicial sentence, sexual crime and psychological expertise: cross-cultural approach]. Universitas Psychologica, 17(2), 165-175. https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.upsy17-2.sjds
  • Massip, J., & Garrido, E. (2007). La evaluación del abuso sexual infantil: análisis de la validez de las declaraciones del niño [Assessment of child sexual abuse: analysis of the validity of the child’s declarations]. Editorial MAD.
  • O’Donohue, W., Cummings, C., & Willis, B. (2018) The frequency of false allegations of child sexual abuse: A critical review. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27 (5), 459-475, https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2018.1477224
  • Pereda, N., & Arch, M. (2012). Exploración psicológica forense del abuso sexual en la infancia: Una revisión de procedimientos e instrument [Forensic psychological examination of childhood sexual abuse: A review of procedures and instruments]. Papeles del Psicólogo, 33(1), 36-47.
  • Pereda, N., Guilera, G., Forns, M., & Gómez-Benito, J. (2009). The prevalence of child sexual abuse in community and student samples: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 29 (4), 328-338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.02.007
  • Pérez J.I., Ordóñez M.A., & Amador, V. (2019). Abuso sexual infantile Child sexual abuse]. Formación Activa en Pediatría de Atención Primaria, 12 (2), 87-96.
  • Poole, D., & Wolfe, M. (2009). Child development: Normative sexual and nonsexual behaviors that may be confused with symptoms of sexual abuse. In K. Kuehnle & M. Connell (Eds.), The evaluation of child sexual abuse allegations: A comprehensive guide to assessment and testimony (pp. 101–128). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Ruiz Tejedor, M. P. (2017). Falsas alegaciones de abuso sexual infantil en contextos forenses: análisis de su asociación con distintos indicadores periciales [False allegations of child sexual abuse in forensic contexts: analysis of its association with different expert indicators]. Unpublished Doctoral Thesis.Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid.
  • Ruiz-Tejedor, M. P., Andreu, J. M., & Peña, M. E. (2016). Análisis preliminar de la estructura y consistencia interna de un protocolo clínico-pericial para la identificación de falsas alegaciones de abuso sexual infantile [Preliminary analysis of the structure and internal consistency of a clinical-expert protocol for the identification of false allegations of child sexual abuse]. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 16(1), 73-82.
  • Scott, M. T., Manzanero, A. L., Muñoz, J. M., & Köhnken, G. (2014). Admisibilidad en contextos forenses de indicadores clínicos para la detección del abuso sexual infantile [Admissibility in forensic contexts of clinical indicators for the detection of child sexual abuse]. Anuario de psicología jurídica, 24(1), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apj.2014.08.001
  • Shevlin, M., Murphy, S., Elklit, A., Murphy, J., & Hyland, P. (2018). Typologies of child sexual abuse: An analysis of multiple abuse acts among a large sample of Danish treatment-seeking survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, 10(3), 263-269. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000268
  • Steller, M., & Köhnken, G. (1989). Criteria-based statement analysis. In Raskin, D. C. (Ed.), Psychological methods in criminal investigation and evidence (pp. 217-245). New York: Springer.
  • Stoltenborgh, M., Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J., Alink, L. R., y van IJzendoorn, M. H. (2015). The prevalence of child maltreatment across the globe: Review of a series of meta‐analyses. Child Abuse Review, 24(1), 37-50. https://doi.org/10.1002/car.2353
  • Stoltenborgh, M., van IJzendoorn, M. H., Euser, E. M., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2011). A global perspective on child sexual abuse: Meta-analysis of prevalence around the world. Child Maltreatment, 16(2), 79-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559511403920
  • Trocmé, N., & Tourigny, M. (2000). Facteurs associés à la décision d’entreprendre des poursuites criminelles à la suite d’un signalement pour abus sexuel ou physique envers un enfant [Factors associated with the decision to initiate criminal prosecution following a report of sexual or physical child]. Criminologie, 33(2), 7-30. https://doi.org/10.7202/004750ar
  • Undeutsch, U. (1967). Beurteilung der glaubhaftigkeit von aussagen [Evaluation of statement credibility/ Statement validity assessment]. In U. Undeutsch (Ed.), Hand-buch der Psychologie. Vol. 11: Forensische Psychologie (pp. 26-181). Hogrefe.
  • Vázquez, B. (2004). Abuso sexual infantil. Evaluación de la credibilidad del testimonio. Estudio de 100 casos [Child sexual abuse. Evaluation of testimony credibility Study of 100 cases]. Valencia: Centro Reina Sofía para el Estudio de la Violencia.
  • Vrij, A. (2014). A cognitive approach to lie detection. In P. A., Granhag, A. Vrij, & B. Verschuere, (Eds.), Detecting deception: Current challenges and cognitive approaches (pp. 1-35). Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118510001.ch9
  • Zayas, A. (2017). Evaluación psicosocial del abuso sexual infantil: factores de riesgo y protección, indicadores, técnicas, y procedimientos de evaluación [Psychosocial assessment of child sexual abuse: risk and protection factors, indicators, techniques, and assessment procedures]. Apuntes de Psicología, 34(2-3), 201-209.