In a survey of parents, professionals, and college students in Northern Virginia, 123 adults indicated they had experienced child sexual abuse. Their responses were examined in an effort to identify characteristics of child sexual abuse which might be related to long term negative effects. The variables examined include (a) incestuous verses non-family abuse, (b) victim's reported feelings of responsibility about the sexual abuse, (c) victim's reported feelings of guilt about the sexual abuse, (d) the duration of the sexual abuse, (e) the age of the victim at time of the sexual abuse, and (f) whether or not the sexual abuse was kept secret. Only one of the six variables was found to be significantly related to long term negative effects. The research found evidence that keeping the child sexual abuse experience/s secret may be positively related to long term negative effects of child sexual abuse. Of the 83 participants who reported that the sexual abuse had remained a secret, 58 also reported long term negative effects. The importance of creating a safe and secure atmosphere in which children are able to disclose incidents of child sexual abuse is emphasized by the findings of this research. / Master of Science

In a resource-rich environment, WS of CSA, wanting to enter therapy in order to deal with their early life trauma, can choose from an array of potential treatment modalities. One such intervention is called wilderness therapy. Although a number of studies have investigated various facets ofthis fairly new therapeutic modality, this is not the case for WS as potential clients. This study with its focus on how WS ofCSA experience and perceive therapeutic change as a result of participating in wilderness therapy, intended to explore how this intervention facilitates change. The research aimed to elicit phenomenological insights that could assist in the development and refinement of the therapeutic approach and its intricate constituents. The sample included twelve WS ofCSA (21 years and older) ofwhom four took part in a fourday therapeutic wilderness experience in the Drakensberg Mountains, a World Heritage Site, while another four joined a traditional time-limited therapy group. Four participants opted to withdraw from the study. Factors that influenced the decision to withdraw were explored. Ethical considerations necessitated a pre-interview with each participant. It allowed the researcher to screen each WS for her suitability, but also to identify her unique therapeutic needs, while also providing an opportunity to acquaint her with the research project as a whole, and more specifically with the respective therapeutic intervention. The researcher gathered interview data after each intervention, which after transcription was analysed using an experience-near, phenomenological research model (Colaizzi, 1978; Giorgi, 1994; Polkinghorne, 1989) that included validation through the participants. The themes that the participants of each group described were analysed and then presented in diagrammatical form. A comparison of the results elicited elements common to both therapeutic interventions, but more importantly the unique features ofwilderness therapy. These included (a) the reality of therapeutic change in terms of CSA-related issues, (b) nature as a significant therapeutically containing space, and (c) silence as a tool for facilitating catharsis. The reality of post-hike depression and the change-inducing quality ofanticipatory anxiety evolved as other significant elements of therapy within a nature setting. The themes were examined in greater depth leading to the conclusions that wilderness therapy is a valuable therapeutic modality for WS of CSA, possibly best used as an adjunct, and offers unique therapeutic change mechanisms to these trauma survivors. Because of its exploratory nature, the study was unable to outline these mechanisms in more detail and hence suggestions for further in-depth research were made. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role childhood sexual abuse (CSA), social support and a person's worldview (i.e., optimistic or pessimistic attitudes) had on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

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)

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Thesis (M. Ph.)--Australian Catholic University, 2002. / Title from PDF title page (viewed Aug. 15, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (p. [162]-180).

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-55).

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)

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The purpose of this study was to determine the extent, pattern and forms of child sexual abuse amongst university students; to investigate the degree of sexual coercion; to examine victim-perpetrator relationships; to determine the extent to which students are bothered by the event at the time of completing the Early Sexual Experiences Checklist; to establish the age of the student at the time the event occurred and also the age of the other person involved when the event occurred; and to determine the frequency of the coercive event. / South Africa

The purpose of this action study was to conduct a group treatment program for female adult survivors of incest using TFA Systems™. Specifically this study examined the coping response behavior patterns of adult survivors in situations of perceived victimization. During stage one of the treatment program, clients presented situations in which they had perceived themselves to have been in the victim role. Each client analyzed her patterns of coping using the TFA Helping Cycle. The specific thoughts (T), feelings (F), and actions (A) experienced by participants were examined. Special attention was given to the cues that signaled perceptions of victimization. Processing through the Helping Cycle assisted clients in moving from an awareness of habitual patterns to problem solving alternative coping responses. In stage two, participants predicted situations that had the potential for eliciting perceptions of victimization. These situations were likewise examined in TFA terms. Applying TFA methods to understanding coping response behavior patterns in threatening situations allowed clients the opportunity to break the cycle of relying on habitual behavior patterns. Intervention techniques were individualized to both the client and her situation. The results of this study suggest that the TFA Systems™ model accurately assessed the coping response behavior patterns of clients in situations of perceived victimization. Participants were able to use effectively the Helping Cycle to examine the thoughts, feelings and actions that directed their behavior. Conscious awareness of existing patterns and knowledge of available options allowed clients to restructure ineffective coping responses. Both objective and subjective evaluation procedures confirmed the TFA Systems™ treatment model as a promising method for effecting positive behavior change in an adult survivors of incest population. / Ed. D.