Girls learn about being female from modeling themselves on their mothers. In addition to the genetic factor, children of depressed mothers are vulnerable to emotional problems. Some experts think that females' tendency to place greater value than males do on interpersonal connection and relationships with other people renders them more vulnerable to losses and depression. The increase in depressed mood of adolescent girls, not boys, correlates with stressful life events. Childhood sexual abuse is an important early stressor, and the rates of sexual abuse in girls increase substantially in early adolescence with the greatest increase occurring between ages 10 and 14.
Sexual abuse impacts on both physiological and psychological functioning.
11 Sexual abuse undoubtedly has a major psychological impact on its victims although individual differences exist and not all individuals are traumatized in the same way or for the same length of time. The effects depend on the type of abuse, whether the abuser was a family member or a stranger, whether the abuse was short or long term, and the age of the child at the time of abuse. In general, sexual abuse causes young children to become very anxious, and adolescents often act out. Long term reactions occur in two-fifths of sexually abused girls. For many victims of sexual abuse, long term psychological symptoms include symptoms of depression, substance abuse and sexual problems.