After reviewing the literature on the effects of child sexual abuse, one better understands why a large number of authors conclude their writings in this area with the plea for more and better research. With the current upsurge in interest have come numerous hypotheses, largely untested.

Although it appears that the majority of studies on child sexual abuse conclude that its effects are harmful, there are a host of problems with this research. Definitions of sexual abuse lack precision and comparability, making it difficult to draw conclusions across studies.

Another potential mediator is the amount of guilt the child experiences concerning the abuse; as noted earlier, this is generally thought to be greater with older children. It is posited that if children experience pleasure during the abuse, or believe that they precipitated it, they will feel more guilt and shame; in turn, greater guilt is associated with worse trauma.

The next mediator frequently mentioned in the literature is the age or relative maturity of the child. It is generally argued that sexual abuse will affect the child differentially, based on his or her age and or developmental level. However, authors disagree on the nature of the relationship between age and effects.

In discussing the effects of sexual abuse, many authors suggest that there are mediators that contribute to the differential impact of the abuse. One possible mediator is the emotional climate of the child's family prior to the abuse.