This study investigated the convergent validity between two classical measures of childhood sexual abuse (CSA): the Russell Sexual Abuse Interview Schedule (Russell, 1983) and Finkelhor Survey of Childhood Experiences (Finkelhor, 1979). One hundred sixty eight participants were recruited from a Midwestern university. In addition to the two CSA measures, the following measures were also compared: a subject demographic information form, the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (Briere and Runtz, 1989), the Simple Screening Instrument for Substance Abuse (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1994), and Rotter's Internal and External Locus of Control Scale (Rotter, 1966). This study provided support for convergent validity between the Finkelhor and the Russell. The majority of participants who reported CSA on the Finkelhor also reported CSA on the Russell, with more participants reporting CSA on the Russell. Although participants' responses on the Finkelhor were positively correlated with their responses on the Russell with respect to severity of the CSA, most participants did not receive the same rating for severity level on both measures. More participants endorsed experiencing CSA by a family member on the Russell than on the Finkelhor. There were significant positive relationships between presence, severity, and duration of abuse (as measured by the Finkelhor for some participants) and scores on the TSC-40, but fewer for the Russell. There were no significant relationships between identifying a family member as the perpetrator of the CSA on the Russell and Finkelhor and scores on the TSC-40 and scores for substance abuse. There were also no significant relationships between presence of CSA as measured by the Finkelhor and Russell and scores for substance abuse. The results of this study found support for discriminant validity for both CSA measures, as scores for neither measure correlated with scores on Rotter's I-E Scale. The results of this study suggest that more research needs to focus on developing consensus on the definition of CSA and on determining how to measure frequency, severity, and duration of CSA accurately. Research on how to measure the characteristics of CSA can yield important information about the relationships between these characteristics and negative outcomes, such as substance abuse, which can be used to inform treatment.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are both crimes with high prevalence rates which frequently have females as their victims. Survivors of each are frequently found in psychotherapy, yet to date few studies have examined the interaction between each form of gender violence. The present study looked at several ways in which CSA and IPV interact, including assessing prevalence rates of CSA among female IPV survivors, examining somatic difficulties found among female CSA survivors who are also survivors of IPV vs. female non-CSA IPV survivor controls, and by exploring body image and sexual difficulties found among female CSA survivors who are also survivors of IPV vs. female non-CSA IPV survivor controls. Participants were a sample of 140 women with a history of domestic violence recruited from a variety of settings including community mental health facilities and correctional facilities. Results showed that all three forms of childhood maltreatment studied (CSA, childhood physical abuse (CPA), and childhood witnessing of IPV) were elevated among survivors of IPV; rates of CSA were 51.4% within our sample of female survivors of IPV, rates of CPA were 52.1%, and rates of childhood witnessing of IPV were 67.1% within the same sample. Among various somatic complaints studied (sleep difficulties, depression, eating difficulties, and weight problems), female CSA survivors of IPV evidenced higher rates of childhood sleep difficulties, childhood and adulthood depression, and adulthood eating difficulties than did female non-CSA IPV survivor controls. While participants overall evidenced high rates of problems with body image and sexuality, there were no significant differences between female CSA survivors of IPV and female non-CSA IPV survivor controls within this study. Possible reasons underlying the latter negative findings were discussed. Both groups showed higher rates of body image and sexual dysfunction than would be predicted for normative participants, though given the absence of a normal control group in the present study it is difficult to discern how much higher these rates might be.

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The purpose of the current study is to better understand the experience of healing after childhood sexual abuse (CSA) through analysis of existing survivor narratives. Traditionally, study of CSA survivors has been approached from a point of view that categorizes their response to abuse a deficit or disorder. A recent movement in the study of CSA has been toward viewing CSA survivors in terms of resilience and healing. The current research study is informed from the social constructivist paradigm, and uses narrative and hermeneutics to gain a better understanding of healing from CSA by examining existing narratives of healing written by survivors. The method of narrative analysis employed is Lieblich Tuval-Mashiach & Zilber’s (1998) holistic-content approach. After interpreting each individual narrative, an overarching analysis was generated by interpretation of commonalities across memoirs. The narratives and my subsequent analysis of the narratives generated a storied construction of healing, organized into three themes: The Process of Transformation, From the Private to the Public, and Connecting to Others. The results are discussed in light of the socio-cultural and political landscapes, as well as in terms of the concept of self-compassion. Strengths and limitations of the study, as well as considerations for future research are considered

Little research attention has been paid to forensic populations of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), where it is understood that prevalence rates are high. This study aimed to survey a sample of 40 men in a maximum security hospital who had experienced childhood sexual interaction (CSI). The study profiled the psychological functioning of the sample through a number of standardised measures and a semi-structured interview. In addition, the meanings that the men attached to their childhood sexual experiences,t heir 'constructions' of them, were also examined, along with their self-report of distress related to these experiences. The limited research conducted with male survivors suggests that men tend to construct CSI in more positive or neutral terms than female survivors, and are less likely to report distress related to the experience. However, men's experiences of CSI have still shown similar levels of association with psychological symptomatology in adulthood. This apparent discrepancy has been understood in terms of male socialisation. The predictions that the men in this sample would show high levels of psychological symptomatology, which would be associated with the characteristics of CSI, and that the majority of them would describe positive or neutral constructions of CSI, and would tend to report no distress related to their experiences, were supported in this study. The implications of these findings are discussed. Overall, it is stressed that in order to fully understand the impact of CSA on males, and to provide appropriate approaches to interventions, a fuller appreciation of the role of male socialisation must be achieved.

Childhood sexual abuse is a prevalent problem that impacts adult women and the mental health professionals who treat them. Decades of studies have been conducted examining the impact of childhood sexual abuse in order to be better able to treat clients with this history. Yet, few clear guidelines have resulted from these activities. In order to gain a clearer picture of this research, a meta-analysis was conducted on 41 published studies to describe the nature of the problem, the subjects involved in these studies, the measures used to determine effect, and the impact of eight variables that potentially mediate the effect of childhood sexual abuse. The results of this meta-analysis show that authors use different definitions, sample from different populations, report different demographic data, and use different measures of outcome. Typical studies use definitions based on the relationship of the victim to the perpetrator and difference between victim and perpetrator in age. While many reviewers discuss the potential impact and importance of several demographic variables, including age, educational level, and marital status, few studies in this meta-analysis included this information. Subjects are typically mental health clients or students; however, some studies did a:tempt to use a random sample from the general population. Most studies used a life-history interview or questionnaire in order to obtain demographic data and information about the nature of the sexual abuse. Most studies also utilized an objective measure of outcome, typically a measure of psychopathology; however, few studies used the same tool. It was concluded that there is evidence to indicate a negative effect of sexual abuse in women. However, this evidence is not overwhelming. Also, it was concluded that in order to increase the level of understanding in this area, it is imperative to begin to standardize a protocol for this research. A standardized protocol would include a clearly stated definition of childhood sexual abuse, clearly stated demographic information, and clearly reported use of outcome measures and the outcomes. Standardization would enable researchers to replicate studies and compare results, processes which are invaluable to increase scientific understanding of the long-term effects of sexual abuse in adult women.

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No description available.

Previous research has shown that people who are depressed, have recently attempted suicide or experienced childhood sexual abuse have difficulties recalling specific autobiographical events from memory. This overgeneral memory bias has been found for both negative and positive events and has been found to be a maladaptive cognitive style. The present study is an investigation of autobiographical memory retrieval in people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, a disorder which has para-suicidal behaviour as one of its diagnostic criterion. The BPD group (n = 23) was compared with a control group (n = 23) on i) a measure for autobiographical memory retrieval, ii) various measures of mood, iii) a dissociative experiences scale and iv) frequency of para-suicidal incidents. In line with hypotheses, results indicated that the subject group produced significantly more overgeneral autobiographical memories than the control group. This memory bias remained for positive and negative events when depression was statistically controlled. No differences were found between the two groups on autobiographical memory for neutral events when depression was statistically controlled. Analysis indicated that dissociation positively correlated with overgeneral autobiographical memory and that both depression and anxiety correlated with selfharm. A trend was also found between overgeneral autobiographical memory and self-harm, suggesting that overgeneral memory may function as a defence mechanism, protecting individuals from self-harrrýing behaviour. These results are discussed in relation to the current theories of autobiographical memory and the nature of dissociation in memory disturbance. The importance of assessing Axis I disorders and targeting of mood in clinical practice, to decrease self-harm, is highlighted. The study also highlights the heterogeneous nature of Borderline Personality Disorder. The implications for clinical practice are discussed and guidelines for further research are outlined.

Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / Childhood sexual abuse transcends boundaries of social class, race, age and gender. Research suggests that its effects are so profoundly debilitating that even in adulthood, victims struggle with a range of emotional, psychological and behavioural challenges. Nationally, South Africa has experienced a high prevalence of childhood sexual abuse, with a noticeable reporting of sexual abuse amongst children whose mothers survived childhood sexual abuse. The current study was aimed at exploring and describing the experiences of maternal survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) whose children also disclosed childhood sexual abuse. It furthermore explored the maternal intergenerational transference of sexual abuse and its influence on parenting, as well as exploring how the experience of childhood sexual abuse influences maternal parental practice and confirms or negates whether sexual abuse is generational. A qualitative research design was used to explore the experiences and perceptions of seven mothers who experienced sexual abuse as children, whose children also disclosed sexual abuse. The sample was purposefully drawn and the interviews were conducted at the premises of two counselling organisations, where they (mothers/children) were receiving counselling. The researcher made use of in-depth interviewing with maternal survivors of childhood sexual abuse whose children also disclosed childhood sexual abuse. The data was collected using an interview schedule with open-ended questions, which facilitated the interview process. Interviews that were conducted with the maternal survivors of childhood sexual abuse were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data from the study was analysed using thematic analysis, with all data managed manually. Ethical considerations were deliberated to participants who provided signed, informed consent for participation in the study. The findings were revealed in four themes. Theme one describes the experience of loss as a result of the CSA, which included loss of childhood, loss of relationships with family and friends, and loss of parental attachment. Theme two describes the interpersonal and psychological challenges resulting from CSA. A range of psychological and interpersonal sequelae resulting from the CSA experience poses many challenges for the maternal survivor of CSA. These include post-traumatic stress, cognitive distortions, emotional distress, avoidance, and interpersonal difficulties. Theme three describes the barriers affecting the maternal survivor's sense of Self, which includes negative body image and negative self-image. Maternal survivors of CSA struggle with issues pertaining to negative body image, which is as a result of the CSA experience. Issues pertaining to negative self-image were also captured. Theme four describes the parental practice of the maternal survivor and coping capacity, which includes challenges affecting the parental role, the maternal survivor's reaction to her children’s disclosure, as well as the coping strategies adopted to cope and move on. The results of the study show that maternal survivors of CSA experienced a shared feeling of loss, both on a personal level and a relational level. The findings furthermore indicate that the interpersonal and psychological challenges experienced by the maternal survivor are a direct consequence of the CSA and adversely affect the parental role of the maternal survivor. The findings indicate that in cases of intra-familial CSA, the chances are increased for CSA to re-occur in subsequent generations when contact with the mother's perpetrator is maintained. The findings indicate that when CSA occurs in a subsequent generation, regardless of whether intra-familial or extra-familial, maternal survivors are supportive towards their children’s disclosures, as they are confronted with their own CSA experience.