Sexual trauma and depressive behavior: A case study of adolescent victims of sexual harassment in schools

This study examines depressive behaviors in adolescent girls who are victims of school-based sexual harassment in Cameroon, using the theoretical approaches of Seligman and Beck to understand the factors likely to lead to depression. Four young girls who were victims of sexual harassment took part in the study, completing interviews and tests to collect data. The results show that these adolescent girls exhibit depressive behaviors characterized by sadness, discouragement, guilt and loss of appetite, and that upsetting, constraining and aggressive sexual behavior leads to these depressive behaviors. The study underlines the importance of taking into account the specific needs of these adolescents, and of implementing prevention and support strategies to help them overcome their traumatic experiences.