Research shows that individuals who report a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are more likely to develop a range of psychological difficulties in adulthood than those who report no early experiences of CSA. The concept of CSA as a risk factor for developing psychological distress is no longer in question, but the causal mechanisms that underlie these associations are still not well understood. The feelings of shame, responsibility, and low levels of self-esteem that are commonly found in presentations of psychological distress in female survivors may implicate these characteristics as mediating risk factors in the sequelae of CSA. A literature review was carried out to explore the theoretical knowledge of CSA, and to examine the evidence of its relationship with psychopathology, and the role of contributory features of shame, self-esteem and attributions of blame. One hundred and fifty nine undergraduates (thirty two of whom reported a history of CSA) completed questionnaires requesting information on a history of CSA, shame, self-esteem, and attributions of blame and responsibility. The expected association between CSA distress and psychopathology was not found and this precluded mediation analysis. However, differences were found between the Abused and Non-Abused groups on the psychopathology subtests, most notably psychoticism. Compared to the Non-abused group, the Abused group also showed higher levels of Shame and a non-significant trend towards lower Self-esteem. Shame ii and Self-esteem were found to correlate with psychopathology and CSA distress correlated with Perpetrator Blame and Family Blame. Finally, the last section of the thesis discusses implications for clinical practice, the limitations of the empirical study, and ideas for further research.

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This research focuses on the personal stories surrounding men who were sexually abused in childhood. The aim of this study is to shed light on the experiences of these men, and attempt to lift the veil of secrecy and stigma attached to male childhood sexual abuse. Three participants were selected for this qualitative study using the selection procedure of purposive sampling. Each participant was introduced with the use of a semi-structured interview format, and the information that was obtained from each participant was explored using a hermeneutic analysis approach. The results suggest that society’s naivety and ignorance of issues pertaining to sexually abused men are prominent. Both differences and similarities, in relation to the experiences of these men, are evident. With particular reference to the three participants whom partook in this study, the differing experiences that appear significant are suicidal ideation; low self-esteem; flashbacks; fear of men in general; and mind-body separation. The similar experiences that are evident within the participants’ stories are their desire for secrecy; fear of what society may think of them; desperate attempts to cope and subsequently escape the memories of their pasts; long-lasting effects, such as a lack of trust and an absence of intimacy; and determination to move forward and prevail. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This research focuses on the personal stories surrounding men who were sexually abused in childhood. The aim of this study is to shed light on the experiences of these men, and attempt to lift the veil of secrecy and stigma attached to male childhood sexual abuse. Three participants were selected for this qualitative study using the selection procedure of purposive sampling. Each participant was introduced with the use of a semi-structured interview format, and the information that was obtained from each participant was explored using a hermeneutic analysis approach. The results suggest that society’s naivety and ignorance of issues pertaining to sexually abused men are prominent. Both differences and similarities, in relation to the experiences of these men, are evident. With particular reference to the three participants whom partook in this study, the differing experiences that appear significant are suicidal ideation; low self-esteem; flashbacks; fear of men in general; and mind-body separation. The similar experiences that are evident within the participants’ stories are their desire for secrecy; fear of what society may think of them; desperate attempts to cope and subsequently escape the memories of their pasts; long-lasting effects, such as a lack of trust and an absence of intimacy; and determination to move forward and prevail. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)