Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Supervisor: Pedro Reyes. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2004. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-217). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (M.A. (Political & International Studies)) - Rhodes University, 2008. / A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Political & International Studies)

Objective: To date there have been few if any qualitative studies of adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) followed by psychotic experiences later in life. This study aimed to explore how a sample of four women make sense of their childhood experiences of sexual abuse and their psychotic experiences later in life. Methodology: Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with four women. The data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) in order to develop a detailed understanding of the women’s search for meaning in their own lives. Results: Four major themes emerged from the analysis of the women’s accounts: ‘Interpersonal difficulties,’ ‘Striving to Get Better’ and ‘A Relationship with Shame’ and ‘Links Between CSA, Mental health & Psychosis’. These are explored in detail. Conclusions: The women’s accounts highlight the ongoing difficulty of living with psychosis and CSA, in particular, the role of psychosis in exacerbating isolation, shame and negative self perceptions. Attention is also drawn to the development of competence for therapists in this area of work. Clinical Implications: Supporting and validating existing healthy coping strategies as well as exploration of the interaction of psychosis and CSA through psychological mechanisms of shame as well as family / society discourses. Therapist/ researcher selfawareness is crucial in supporting clients with such traumatic histories.

This thesis presents an exploration of the possibility of women's past experiences of childhood sexual abuse having the status of belonging in Christian communities. This is the result of the observation that in literature and in practice, these experiences are regarded and treated in a way that distances and alienates them from the core values and practices of these places. The thesis is both critical and constructive in exploring how past experiences of childhood sexual abuse can be understood and articulated in ways that facilitate their exclusion from or their belonging in Christian communities. Prioritising the perspectives of women who have been sexually abused as children, and recognising the vulnerability of these perspectives when placed alongside more dominant views, I situate the study among feminist theologies that allow the topic to be explored in such a way that allocates a place of significance to voices and perspectives that are not heard or respected in other locations. Having outlined the roots of the questions I am asking, I set out the features of my location and approach and discuss my choice and interpretation of sources (chapter one). Following a critique and rejection of the dominant discourse of psychiatry as a vocabulary in which the significance of childhood sexual abuse is commonly understood (chapter two), I allow space for a detailed reading of three autobiographical accounts of experiences of childhood sexual abuse (chapter three). From here I develop two theologically significant ideas emerging from these accounts, to show the possibility of articulating and understanding these experiences in terms that belong in Christian communities (chapter four). I then turn to look at how the issue of childhood sexual abuse has been treated in Christian communities (chapter five), exploring the long silences of churches on this subject, and explaining how this impedes the extent to which women who have been sexually abused might be able to belong in these communities. I argue for the importance of hearing these women's voices alongside those of others so that they can belong in Christian communities alongside those who are more commonly heard. From this perspective of considering how these experiences belong in Christian community, I turn to look at the way that the question of forgiveness is understood and approached in relation to childhood sexual abuse (chapter six). I argue that although speaking of forgiveness is in theory a way of speaking about childhood sexual abuse that connects this experience with a theological concept that is meaningful in Christian communities, unless the specifics of the language of forgiveness are carefully and thoughtfully presented, in fact speaking of forgiveness may result in further alienation rather than belonging. I conclude (chapter seven) by suggesting that currently it is problematic to suppose that the formally structured churches are places in which experiences of childhood sexual abuse could safely belong. Finally, I point to the real possibility of these experiences finding a home in Christian community outside formal churches; that in spite of the churches' failures and slow responses, it is possible for women's past experiences of childhood sexual abuse to belong safely in Christian community.

More than 20 million people in the United States have survived a completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes, and approximately 22.5 million people have problematic substance use. The interplay between these two issues is complex: a history of sexual assault predicts substance abuse and, conversely, substance abuse increases sexual assault risk. This secondary analysis of the Virginia Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders data for White female-female twins (n=1,497) examines the role of multiple traumas in the sexual assault/substance abuse association. Structural models were used to examine pathways between child sexual abuse (CSA), other traumas, familial factors, social support, psychiatric disorders, and substance abuse. The models also integrate the ACE twin design to estimate genetic, shared environment, and individual-specific environment contributions to liability for psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Study findings support an interplay between childhood trauma, development of substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, and risks for adult victimization. The findings also support assertions that multiple traumas may increase likelihood for substance abuse and psychiatric disorders, and that these disorders predict risk of adult sexual assault. Across all ACE models, both genetics and common environment produced consistently large estimates of influence on liability for substance abuse. Individual-specific environment played a smaller role but was also often significant, and the pathways from trauma variables to both psychiatric disorders and substance abuse tended to be strong. This supports an interaction between genes and environment/experience in which genetic predisposition, though present, may or may not be activated depending on life experiences. Study findings underscore the need for integrated services for clients with history of multiple traumas and for clients with trauma history and substance abuse or psychiatric disorders. / text

published_or_final_version / Criminology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

This study was undertaken to explore children's experiences in the aftermath of rape disclosure. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study was conducted at a Durban Treatment Centre. Clinical interviews were conducted with 20 rape survivors by a Psychologist in the participants' language, namely isiZulu or isiXhosa. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Most children disclosed their rape initially to their mothers and received supportive reactions from their mothers and family as well as from the community in general. The data revealed some key points which highlighted the type of support received by children in the aftermath of rape disclosure. It seems as though the children received largely supportive reactions from mothers, families and the community. However, children described their experiences with the police, social worker or other helping professions as being mostly negative. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for policy and practice. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Despite recent increases in public, media and research concern with the issue of child rape, not much is known about the disclosure of this phenomenon. This study focused on exploring disclosure from the perspective of child rape victims (i.e., elucidating the subjective meaning of disclosure for children, as well as exploring the circumstances, and factors that facilitate or hinder disclosure). The sampling frame included 16 cases of child rape (12 girls and 4 boys) in the age range 5-17 years old, with 12 years being the average age of the children. The process of thematic analysis revealed three broad thematic areas, as well as a number of dominant and sub-themes. The first broad thematic area, Pre-Disclosure, provides insight into the intrapersonal process children undergo in the aftermath of rape; the children's thoughts and anxieties in coming to understand that they have been raped; and the decision-making process they underwent prior to disclosing their rape experience(s). The second thematic area, Disclosure, provides insight into the children's lived experiences of disclosing their rape and of the disclosure process. At this point in the disclosure process, disclosure is not only experienced at the intrapersonal level, but is experienced in relation to others (interpersonal level). Lastly, Post-Disclosure, provides insight into the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup/ institutional influences in the aftermath of disclosure that play a role in the child's feelings about having disclosed, their evaluation if disclosing was worthwhile, and their decision to engage in subsequent disclosures (i.e., to keep telling). The present study indicated that disclosure can best be conceptualised using the 'Tipping the Balance' model (London Family Court Clinic, 1995). This theoretical model employs a scale as a metaphor for the competing influences on a child who is sexually victimised, and proposes that a fragile balancing act precedes the decision to disclose (London Family Court Clinic, 1995). Such a decision is affected by competing pressures (intrapersonal, interpersonal and intergroup/ institutional), and by what the present study has identified as facilitators and inhibitors. In each child's case, the balance must tip so that the facilitators and perceived benefits outweigh the influence of the many factors which can inhibit disclosure (London Family Court Clinic, 1995). In addition, the decision to use the ecosystemic theory as a conceptual framework for the present research proved to be of heuristic value as it recognises the multiple levels of influence (intrapersonal, interpersonal, inter-group/institutional) that have an effect on the child. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

This study was undertaken to explore children's experiences in the aftermath of rape disclosure. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study was conducted at a Durban Treatment Centre. Clinical interviews were conducted with 20 rape survivors by a Psychologist in the participants' language, namely isiZulu or isiXhosa. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Most children disclosed their rape initially to their mothers and received supportive reactions from their mothers and family as well as from the community in general. The data revealed some key points which highlighted the type of support received by children in the aftermath of rape disclosure. It seems as though the children received largely supportive reactions from mothers, families and the community. However, children described their experiences with the police, social worker or other helping professions as being mostly negative. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for policy and practice. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008