A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 longitudinal studies found a significant association between a history of sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of several psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, and suicide attempts. The association remained consistent regardless of the victim's sex or the age at which abuse occurred. However, no significant association was found between sexual abuse and schizophrenia or somatoform disorders. The study also found that a history of rape strengthened the association with depression, eating disorders, and PTSD. No longitudinal studies were found that assessed the outcomes of bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The review included 3,162,318 participants and used a random-effects model to pool odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The I² statistic was used to assess heterogeneity, with values indicating varying levels of inconsistency across studies. The study found marked heterogeneity in the analyses of depression and suicide attempts, but the overall results were robust. Publication bias was not evident in the funnel plots or statistical tests. The study highlights the importance of recognizing the link between sexual abuse and mental health disorders, as it may lead to improved identification and treatment of abuse survivors. The findings suggest that sexual abuse is a significant risk factor for various psychiatric disorders, and that early recognition and intervention could improve outcomes for survivors. The study also notes that the association between sexual abuse and psychiatric disorders persists regardless of the age of abuse or the sex of the victim. The results emphasize the need for healthcare providers to routinely inquire about sexual abuse history in patients with psychiatric symptoms.A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 longitudinal studies found a significant association between a history of sexual abuse and a lifetime diagnosis of several psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, and suicide attempts. The association remained consistent regardless of the victim's sex or the age at which abuse occurred. However, no significant association was found between sexual abuse and schizophrenia or somatoform disorders. The study also found that a history of rape strengthened the association with depression, eating disorders, and PTSD. No longitudinal studies were found that assessed the outcomes of bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The review included 3,162,318 participants and used a random-effects model to pool odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The I² statistic was used to assess heterogeneity, with values indicating varying levels of inconsistency across studies. The study found marked heterogeneity in the analyses of depression and suicide attempts, but the overall results were robust. Publication bias was not evident in the funnel plots or statistical tests. The study highlights the importance of recognizing the link between sexual abuse and mental health disorders, as it may lead to improved identification and treatment of abuse survivors. The findings suggest that sexual abuse is a significant risk factor for various psychiatric disorders, and that early recognition and intervention could improve outcomes for survivors. The study also notes that the association between sexual abuse and psychiatric disorders persists regardless of the age of abuse or the sex of the victim. The results emphasize the need for healthcare providers to routinely inquire about sexual abuse history in patients with psychiatric symptoms.