DEVELOPMENTAL TRAJECTORIES, COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL PROCESSES, AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze and integrate evidence from scientific literature on how cognitive processes, emotional reactions, and contextual protective factors articulate with different developmental trajectories following child sexual abuse. An integrative review was conducted guided by the PICo framework and PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searching PubMed, SciELO, PePSIC, and APA PsycINFO databases between 2016 and 2026. Selection identified 372 records, yielding 12 studies critically appraised via MMAT. Key findings revealed recurrent dysfunctional cognitive processes (self-blame, personalization, threat perception, and mistrust), emotional manifestations (anxiety, shame, and emotional regulation impairments), and decisive protective factors (socio-familial support, secure attachment, non-blaming disclosure responses, and coordinated operating under multifinality principles and depending substantially on the quality of supportive care and ecological resources provided after disclosure.