This pilot study was designed to collect and analyze a broad range of descriptive data on out-patient pedophiles. Eighteen males with at least one legally charged pedophilic offense (excluding incest) participated in the research. Seven of the subjects sexually molested a male child (homosexual pedophiles) and eleven subjects sexually molested a female child (heterosexual pedophiles). / Subjects were administered the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI). Subjects and their therapists also participated in a structured interview which sought data on psycho-social and offense variables. / Analysis of the MCMI results found that when profile configurations were compared, the homosexual group showed higher mean sub-scale elevations, a more cohesive pattern of sub-scale elevations, and significantly higher sub-scale scores for Passive-Aggressive personality as a feature. The heterosexual group shared Avoidant/Dependent features of personality with the homosexual group but individual profile configurations were much less homogeneous in sub-scale elevations. The analysis of the NPI results found no significant difference between the groups. A comparison of the structured interview data for the groups strongly suggests that homosexual offenders are more structured in their pedophilic interest than heterosexual offenders. / The results are discussed in relation to the validity of the fixated/regressed model for homosexual and heterosexual pedophiles, respectively. The relationship between personality, aetiology of pedophilic behavior, and offense pattern is considered. Implications and suggestions for future research are outlined.

No description available.

This study (N = 123) contrasted a group of sexually abused children in treatment, aged 6 to 12 years, with two comparable groups—other non-sexually abused children in treatment, and non-abused, non-treatment children—to determine whether differences in Rosebush Picture selection could be demonstrated. All children underwent evaluation procedures that included completion of a 12 picture selection (the Rosebush Picture Sort) and the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory-2 (CFSEI-2). A demographic questionnaire for each child was completed. Results showed no differences in picture selection or self-esteem scores of children at the beginning or end-treatment stage. Sexually abused children's Rosebush Picture Sort (RPS) selections at mid-treatment were different than both comparison groups. The self-esteem scores of the two clinical groups in mid-treatment were significantly lower than the scores of the non-abused, non-treatment group, but did not differ from one another. The findings indicate that sexually abused children identify Rosebush Picture Sort pictures differently than other children. It is possible that sexual abuse affects the internal working model of children differently than other types of abuse and trauma.

This study (N = 123) contrasted a group of sexually abused children in treatment, aged 6 to 12 years, with two comparable groups—other non-sexually abused children in treatment, and non-abused, non-treatment children—to determine whether differences in Rosebush Picture selection could be demonstrated. All children underwent evaluation procedures that included completion of a 12 picture selection (the Rosebush Picture Sort) and the Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory-2 (CFSEI-2). A demographic questionnaire for each child was completed. Results showed no differences in picture selection or self-esteem scores of children at the beginning or end-treatment stage. Sexually abused children's Rosebush Picture Sort (RPS) selections at mid-treatment were different than both comparison groups. The self-esteem scores of the two clinical groups in mid-treatment were significantly lower than the scores of the non-abused, non-treatment group, but did not differ from one another. The findings indicate that sexually abused children identify Rosebush Picture Sort pictures differently than other children. It is possible that sexual abuse affects the internal working model of children differently than other types of abuse and trauma. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

M.A. / According to the Child Protection Unit (1997) 25% of young South African females experience some form of childhood sexual abuse before they are 18 years old. Alongside this frighteningly high statistic is an increasing trend for these victims to report these transgressions and, particularly during adulthood, speak out about their experiences. Childhood sexual abuse results in a number of potentially devastating long term effects that limit the adult survivor's capacity to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible. The manner in which each adult survivor perceives her experiences of childhood sexual abuse is unique, as is the way in which she deals with these resulting effects. A variety of therapeutic interventions are available to these women, one of which is narrative therapy. This study is aimed at exploring the adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse's understanding of the use of narrative therapy as a method of intervention. A qualitative methodology is utilised to explore the manner in which adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse understand narrative therapy, and how it can be used to help them deal with the long term effects that are a result of their abusive experiences. The focus of this research is therefore on the adult survivor who has been and still is, a recipient of narrative therapy. The theoretical basis for the intervention with the adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse is established in the discussion of childhood sexual abuse and the adult survivor, as well as narrative therapy and the historical constructs, like postmodernism, constructivism, and social constructionism, that are instrumental in the development of this interventive technique. For the aim of this study a representative sample of two respondents is used. That is two adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse who are actively involved in the narrative therapy process. This sample lends itself to in-depth interviewing where the respondents ii are able to explore their own perceptions of narrative therapy and how this method of intervention has impacted on their own experience of reality. the data is gathered by means of field notes, audio-tapes which are transcribed, and a thorough literature review. Analysis of the data collected is done manually and according to a schedule. The schedule is developed according to coding categories that are identified when working through the raw data. Coding is done by the researcher and a co-decoder in order to compare the results. In the coding process the researcher and co-decoder utilise the schedule to code the transcribed audio-tapes and field notes. The information gleaned from the data gathering and analysis is used to identify central themes. These themes are offered as results. The results obtained are compared to relevant literature in order to further the validity of the research. From the study, methodological and theoretical conclusions can be drawn. The methodological conclusions have to do with the method of research utilised in this study. Regarding the contextual aims of the empirical study, certain theoretical conclusions are drawn. The results and conclusions indicate the adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse's perception of the use of narrative therapy as a treatment methodology. Recommendations are offered on the basis of the study and the conclusions drawn. The methodology and context of the empirical study ensure the connection of the results and conclusions to the aims and objectives of this study. The research indicates that adult survivors perceive the use of narrative therapy as being extremely valuable and effective in the treatment of childhood sexual abuse.

M.A. / This study comments on the debate surrounding behavioural indicators on the child that has been sexually abused. The basic objective of this study is to determine whether behavioural differences can be identified between the child that has been sexually abused and a child that has not been abused. For this research study the quasi-experimental design and specifically the comparison post-test-alone is utilized. The experimental group was exposed to sexual abuse and the comparison group was not exposed to sexual abuse. The result of this study indicates a statistically significant difference toward behavioural indicators, between the experimental group and the comparison group. Children in the experimental group experienced higher levels of psycho-social problems. Therefore it can be accepted that sexual abuse resorts in behavioural changes. It is therefore recommended that behavioural changes are utilized in practice by social workers to verify sexual abuse.

D.Litt. et Phil / This study has aimed at exploring the narratives of perpetrators of child sexual abuse within a social constructionist research approach. Tape-recorded conversations were held with twelve participants who were engaged in a treatment programme at Childline Johannesburg and Childline KwaZulu Natal. The conversations with these men served to punctuate the participants' own experiences both in childhood and throughout the course of their adolescent and adult lives in order to elicit meaning and understanding of their offending behaviour. These narratives were compared to the traditional empirical research literature. The narratives highlighted some similarities to the traditional research literature; however, various differences were also noted. The similarities pertain particularly to: their experiences of having had traumatic and disruptive childhoods; an apparent lack of empathy for the victim; the employment of a wide range of rationalisations in order to explain their offences; a lack of self-esteem; a dearth of sex education in their home environment. Differences between narratives and the traditional research literature encompassed: the role of alcohol as a causal factor in offending; the belief in the abused-abuser hypothesis; the notion that most offenders begin their aberrant pattern of offending in adolescence; an absence of the popular stereotype that paedophiles are sexually and/or physically attracted to children. The participants in this study indicated an emotional attraction to their victims.

M.A. / This study is an attempt to investigate the way in which female survivors of childhood sexual abuse made sense of their experiences. Three participants were interviewed and the relevant themes that emerged from those interviews were coded and reported. The study was conducted from a qualitative perspective that was grounded in social construction methodology. The survivors' individual constructions of meaning at the time of their sexual abuse, their introduction to the social constructions of meaning about child sexual abuse and the double bind between these constructions are reported. The survivors' narratives are representations of the positive way they constructed meaning about their experiences as a way of coping. Their stories are also reflections of the confusion they experienced when introduced to the social constructions of child sexual abuse that differed from the meaning they attributed to their experiences. The study is a representation of the double bind that the difference between the individual and social constructions of their child sexual abuse created for them.