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Subject: search.filters.subject.Adult child sexual abuse victims

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    A grounded theory of the role of family in recovery and healing from child sexual abuse : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2005) Morrison, Lana Jane
    This thesis presents an exploration of therapist perceptions of the role of family in recovery and healing from Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). Consistent with the individualistic focus of Western society, the international body of literature tends to focus on intrapsychic effects and processes of CSA rather than emphasising the ecological and systemic influences which interact with CSA events. Consistent with the New Zealand Ministry of Health's calls to be more inclusive of family in mental health issues, this investigation attempted to provide new understandings of CSA from an ecological and systemic perspective. A grounded theory methodology was utilised. This incorporated the analysis of therapist data collected from a combination of focus groups, key informant interviews and a national survey. The core social process which emerged was "Belonging, Estrangement and Reintegratio". This model of recovery and healing in sexually abused families recognises the impact that abuse and neglect has across generations of a family, the evolving nature of their relationships before, during and after the sexual abuse event(s), and the impact these relationships have on the healing journey. Parallel to the core social process were a number of contextual variables which interacted with therapist practices. These factors influenced how practitioners conceptualise and work with sexually abused families. For the most part, these variables were barriers to including family in the recovery process. It is hoped that the themes which emerged from this investigation will further inform practice in the field by identifying ways in which therapists can successfully incorporate and address contextual family factors to facilitate recovery and healing. It is also hoped that this investigation will alert organisations to the ecological barriers which therapists encounter and which hinder their ability to incorporate family factors in their practice.
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    The relationships between counsellors' orientation, experiences and training and their conceptualization of their tasks in the healing process in sexual abuse counselling : a qualitative analysis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1992) Stevens, Susan Ellen
    Eight counsellors registered with the Accident Compensation Corporation as sexual abuse counsellors participated in qualitative research employing semi-structured, in-depth interviews. A qualitative approach was used to explore previously unidentified variables in sexual abuse counselling, and the relationships among these. Transcribed interviews were analysed for recurrent regularities in themes and dynamics. Four overall themes emerged that appeared most salient in influencing counsellor's conceptualization of the tasks and processes involved in treating the effects of sexual abuse. These themes were (1) counsellor's orientation; (2) training and development; (3) understanding of the dynamics, issues, and effects of sexual abuse; and (4) personal experience of abuse. These variables have implications for both the practice of sexual abuse counselling and for future research.
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    Women survivors of sexual abuse: identification and disclosure : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1992) Briggs, Lynnette Emily
    The long-term effects experienced by women survivors of childhood sexual abuse are now acknowledged and well documented in the clinical literature. Women attending social service agencies rarely reveal a history of sexual abuse unless they are prompted in some way. This thesis is concerned with finding the most effective ways of identifying women who have been sexually abused as children. The study was undertaken to test the validity of a predictive theory devised by Ellenson (1985, 1986) who claimed that survivors of childhood sexual abuse displayed clearly identifiable symptoms known as the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. (PTSS). The first phase of this study disproved Ellenson's theory. His set of predictive indicators could not be used to accurately identify whether or not a woman had been sexually abused. The second phase of the research was drawn from a series of indepth interviews with social workers and other health professionals involved in counselling women. The purpose of these interviews was to discover how practitioners identify women clients with a history of sexual abuse. As a consequence of these two inquiries, the author then constructed an "Index of Sexual Abuse Indicators" which could have validity for social workers in the practice setting.
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    Breaking the silence : restorative justice and child sexual abuse : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Policy at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2001) Jülich, Shirley Jean
    This research investigated the relationship between justice and child sexual abuse from the perspective of adult survivors. Utilising participant observation, unstructured interviews and focus groups within a feminist framework, 21 adult survivors of child sexual abuse (18 women and 3 men) were consulted to identify issues that were problematic for them. In addition, 2 jurors, 1 judge and 2 counsellors were interviewed. The findings indicated that child sexual abuse has been shrouded by a conspiracy of silence, caused partly by deeply entrenched structures within society. These forces combined with the complexity of recovery, including the possible impacts of Stockholm Syndrome, and the perceived inability of the criminal justice system to meet their needs, have appeared to silence many survivors of child sexual abuse. A review of the economic consequences and an analysis of the subsequent costs of child sexual abuse have indicated the need to implement programmes that would lessen the burden for victims, offenders, their families and the broader society. Survivors cautiously suggested that restorative justice might be sufficiently flexible to encourage victims of child sexual abuse to criminally report, thereby breaking the silence. A cost benefit analysis of a restorative justice programme indicated that significant savings could be made and highlighted that the prevention of child sexual abuse should be a priority. The findings of this research would have implications for policy makers and all those who provide services to victims and offenders of child sexual abuse. Stockholm Syndrome has highlighted the complexity of the recovery process for victims of child sexual abuse. This syndrome combined with the concerns of adult survivors of child sexual abuse would have implications for practitioners within the traditional criminal justice system and the restorative justice movement. Finally, the costs of child sexual abuse in New Zealand would have implications for justice agencies, health agencies, social welfare organisations and the Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand.
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    Breaking another silence : the long-term impacts of child sexual abuse on committed lesbian couples : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2005) Hanna, Sue
    This qualitative research enquiry sought to develop an understanding from forty-four women, comprising twenty-two couples in committed lesbian partnerships, of how they managed the long-term impacts of child sexual abuse, both on themselves and on their relationships. This is an area that is under- theorised in the literature. A number of key findings emerged from the analysis. The sexual abuse that women had experienced had impacted their adult lives in various ways. Of these the personal aspect featured most highly, with feelings of self-blame, shame and low self esteem commonly reported. Those women who reported physically invasive sexual abuse also reported a wider variety of effects, and in proportionately greater numbers, than women whose abusive experience had not encompassed that particular dimension. Just as the survivors were impacted in a variety of ways by their abuse, so too were their partners, although the effects upon the partner varied over time and in intensity depending on the length of the relationship and the degree of resolution experienced by the survivor. Despite challenges the over all view of couple relationships was positive, and couples were able to articulate coping strategies they felt would be useful to others in similar circumstances. Partners were able to identify with many of the relationship issues outlined by heterosexual male partners of female survivors, although lesbian partners had more a positive view of counselling. The emotional support and commitment of a caring partner was clearly valued although in these partnerships both women wanted their relationship to be based on more than the reparative needs of one member. Finally, being lesbian was no barrier to seeking counselling assistance. A large proportion of the participants had used counselling as a way of working through their experiences of child sexual abuse and had found this to be valuable. These findings have implications for social work practice with child and adult female survivors. They emphasise the long term impacts of sexual abuse, the important contributions made by partners and counsellors in supporting women sexually abused as children and the levels of inter-sibling sexual abuse perpetrated by brothers. The research findings also contain information from the women themselves on what facilitated their ability to cope with the effects of child sexual abuse from the varying perspectives of survivor, partner and couple. This will be essential information for counsellors and social workers wishing to employ strengths and evidence-based approaches in their work with this client group and others, particularly heterosexual women and heterosexual couples.
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    Multiplicity of perceptions on the sequelae of childhood sexual abuse : development of an empirical framework : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2008) Pechtel, Pia
    After over 30 years of research, our knowledge of the consequences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is still marked by considerable disarray. A research programme of three studies was designed to improve our understanding of functioning in adulthood after CSA by considering perceptions of sexual abuse from three different viewpoints: Clients with a history of CSA, lay, non-abused adults, and sexual abuse practitioners. In the first study, Multidimensional scaling was employed to develop a reporting device summarising the wide range effects and coping efforts likely to following sexual abuse (RESA – Reporting Effects of Sexual Abuse). A two-fold mapping and profiling approach was then used to highlight consistency and specificity of sexual abuse sequelae by comparing effect-coping patterns of 113 adults with a history of CSA to profiles describing the functioning of nontraumatised adults. The second study then enquired about the stability of perceptions of CSA consequences carried by 149 lay, non-abused adults. An analogue priming study explored how the impact of emotional arousal and cognitive re-structuring intervention adjust participants’ understanding of CSA outcomes. As lay, non-abused adults were found to carry an oversimplified perception of CSA sequelae, Study Three therefore investigated if practitioners were exempt from such underlying biases. Signal detection analysis was used in the final third study to independently assess 85 practitioners’ judgment accuracy and bias when asked to identify sexual abuse effects among a set of supposedly unrelated behaviour, and to discriminate direct effects from secondary ways of coping with CSA. While practitioners were successful in detecting relevant CSA sequelae, they nonetheless demonstrated a highly overinclusive perception compared to the empirical reports by sexually abused clients and societal perceptions. Findings of the three studies were integrated to build an empirical framework on the multiplicity of perceptions on the sequelae of CSA. Overall, this research showed that all individuals, regardless of their association with CSA, carry perceptions about the consequences of CSA. These perceptions appeared to be universal, independent of emotional arousal or attempted cognitive restructuring. While CSA clients reported an array of effects and coping efforts, society only seemed to reflect basic elements of these as related to CSA. Professionals, on the other hand, indicated overinclusive perceptions in which most characteristics were identified as CSA sequelae, in particular as a mean of coping. Finally, no specific pathway was found to follow CSA. While there appeared to be an increased intensity of effects and a greater need for coping among adults with a history of CSA, the general pattern or type of sequelae was also reported by non-traumatised adults. Understanding the functional processes underlying these patterns of common sequelae can help to tailor treatment to the individual needs of clients who experienced CSA. Further implications of this empirical model for practice and research in the area of sexual abuse in Aotearoa/New Zealand are discussed.