Clinical and psychological characteristics of children and adolescents with the experience of sexual abuse on the Internet

Clinical and psychological characteristics of children and adolescents with the experience of sexual abuse on the Internet

 

Authors

 

I.A. Chibisova

FSBI “V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation

V.D. Badmaeva

FSBI “V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation

I.S. Karaush

FSBI “V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation

S.A. Mukhina

FSBI “V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation

A.A. Sveshnikova

Regional State Budgetary Institution “Kostroma Regional Psychiatric Hospital named after A.V. Snezhnevsky” Bolnichnaya Street 1, 156519, Kostroma Region, Kostroma District, Nikolskoye Village, Russian Federation

 

https://doi.org/10.26617/1810-3111-2026-1(130)-76-86

 

Journal: Siberian Herald of Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. 2026; 1 (130):  76-86.

 

Abstract

Introduction. The number of minors who are victims of crimes committed online has increased significantly. This demonstrates the need for a comprehensive approach to preventing illegal actions committed by minors themselves or against children and adolescents in the virtual environment. Any criminal act involving a child has serious consequences for their development, health, including mental health, quality of life, and future prospects. Objective: to analyze the clinical and psychological characteristics of children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence and abuse online. Materials. A comprehensive outpatient forensic psychological and psychiatric examination and survey was conducted on 59 children and adolescents aged 9-17 years who were the victims of sexual crimes online. Methods: clinical, psychopathological, psychological, and statistical. Results. Different groups of victims were identified based on the presence or absence of psychopathology in percentages. The following groups of victims were distinguished: 1) healthy individuals, 2) individuals with adjustment disorders as a result of illegal actions committed against them via online resources, and 3) individuals with mental disorders diagnosed prior to the perpetrators' actions. The reasons for entering into online relationships with the accused, various forms of communication between minors and the perpetrator, and the clinical and psychological characteristics of all groups of victims are described. Statistically significant relationships were established between the clinical and psychological characteristics of victims and the forms of communication with the perpetrator, the frequency of victims' involvement in online blackmail, and the development of adjustment disorders. Conclusion. Prevention of sexual abuse of children and adolescents in the online environment requires a comprehensive, interdepartmental approach, implemented through the development of rehabilitation medical technologies and educational programs, regulation of the legislative framework, the development of competent digital literacy, and psychological and psychiatric support for adolescents who have suffered from violence.

 

Keywords: victims, Internet, clinical manifestations, psychological characteristics, grooming, adjustment disorders.

 

Article (pdf)

 

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Materials  

 

For citation: Chibisova I.A., Badmaeva V.D., Karaush I.S., Mukhina S.A., Sveshnikova A.A. Clinical and psychological characteristics of children and adolescents with the experience of sexual abuse on the Internet. Siberian Herald of Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry.2026, 1 (130): 76-86. https://doi.org/10.26617/1810-3111-2026-1(130)-76-86

 

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