Calvin A. Colarusso – The Long Shadow of Sexual Abuse: Developmental Effects across the Life Cycle

The Long Shadow of Sexual Abuse: Developmental Effects across the Life Cycle has one simple purpose_to describe the profound interferences with normal developmental processes that occur in every subsequent developmental phase throughout life as the result of chronic child sexual abuse. Through the presentation of detailed case histories of individuals ranging in age from five to the early sixties, Colarusso convincingly demonstrates that the effects are life long. Sections on normal development for childhood, adolescence, young, and middle adulthood are followed by case histories, arranged chronologically according to the age of the victims at the time they were evaluated. Then the effects of the sexual abuse are traced through subsequent developmental phases to the chronological present. Colarusso illuminates how the passage of time actually increases the pathological effects of chronic child sexual abuse due to interferences with the developmental tasks of adolescence and adulthood.

“The Long Shadow of Sexual Abuse: Developmental Effects across the Life Cycle” by Calvin A. Colarusso is an in-depth exploration of the long-term impacts of sexual abuse on individuals throughout their lives. Colarusso, a psychoanalyst, examines how early sexual abuse affects psychological development and manifests in various stages of life, from childhood through old age. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the emotional, cognitive, and relational consequences of sexual abuse, using case studies and clinical observations. It aims to offer insights for mental health professionals to better understand and treat survivors of sexual abuse, highlighting the importance of addressing these deep-seated issues to foster healing and recovery.