The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth description of the lived experience of recovery for young adult women who had been sexually abused as children. Nine women participated in the study. In order to be a part of the study, the women were between the ages of 16 and 25 at the time of the first interview, and had been sexually abused before the age of 12 by a family member. Family members could include parents, step-parents, siblings, step-siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The sexual abuse must have been repetitive in nature and lasted for a period of 6 months or longer. The women had also participated in some type of therapy, for at least 6 months, where sexual abuse was the primary focus. As well, the women had some awareness that they were in recovery and were able to talk about their own experience of recovery. The interviews and the data analysis followed a phenomenological approach. The researcher conducted four interviews with each participant over a twenty month period. Ten common themes representing the lived experience of recovery from sexual abuse for young adult women emerged. The lived experience of recovery (1) involves working through the denial of being sexually abused, (2) diminishes the lasting effects of sexual abuse, (3) helps the person move from a victim stance to a survivor stance, (4) is a journey of self-discovery, (5) fosters the possibility for improved relationships with family members, friends, and partners, (6) reduces the negative influence of the perpetrator, (7) encompasses a variety of therapeutic encounters, (8) helps the person to explore the ambiguity of memory, (9) influences future direction, and (10) is a complex process with no clear resolution. The descriptions of each theme illustrate how the women were able to confront and transform the trauma of being sexually abused. The findings of this study describe how young adult women perceive the lived experience of recovery and illuminate what needs to take place so that recovery is possible. The lived experience of recovery is an interactive phenomenon which requires the women to explore the meaning of recovery both intrapersonally and interpersonally. As the women's thoughts, perceptions, beliefs, feelings, and expectations change internally, the ways in which they interact with the world around them shift as well. The lived experience of recovery is both complex and perplexing. The findings from this study offer recommendations for counselling research and practice in the area of sexual abuse for young adult women.

In reviewing the literature on adult survivors of child sexual abuse/incest, it became apparent that one area has remained in its infancy: a systematic method of symptom assessment. Symptoms, both short and long term, have become clinically well documented. An index, the Sexual Abuse Survivors Symptom Index (evaluating absence/presence, frequency, severity, and impact of symptoms upon the survivor), was developed rationally from the literature was administered. A background questionnaire, simplified from one already in use, was also administered to provide information regarding variables that could confound the research.Approximately 130 female adult clinical subjects were approached to determine whether they would participate in the study. Thirty-three subjects agreed to participate. Due to the small sample size, results of the factor analysis cannot be considered reliable. The principal component factor analysis did produce eight factors, which did not converge in the varimax rotation, however, three factors did emerge. The three factors represented an affective component (almost one half of the symptoms), a somatic/sexual component, and an acting out component.The background questionnaire provided some basic support to the variables the literature reported as affecting symptom severity or likelihood for abuse to occur. Areas endorsed as most severe or correlated strongly and moderately to individual symptoms were ones that were directly connected to the abuse(i.e., age of first inappropriate sexual experience, duration of the abuse, multiple abusers, frequency of the abuse, fear of being hurt by the abusers, and overt/contact type of abuse). The variables that influenced the likelihood for abuse to occur, (i.e., substance abuse, strictness, rigid religious traditions, and physical discipline) were endorsed by slightly less than one half of the subjects, but may have had severe impact individually upon each survivor of abuse. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The current study assessed the effects of incest utilizing the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), an objective measure that can address such long term effects as low self esteem, isolation, depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance abuse, impaired sexual adjustment, psychosomatic concerns, and interpersonal relationship difficulties. Eighty-one women seeking counseling for issues related to an incestuous childhood, and 90 non sexually abused adult female clients completed the MMPI and a background information questionnaire.A Multivariate Analysis of Variance test comparing the mean profiles demonstrated that the incest group was more somatic, depressed, angry, anxious, and confused. A chi square analysis of two-point code type configurations found the incest group being more classified by the 48/84 and the 24/42 code types whereas the control group was more represented by the 46/64 code type. Lastly, the groups were compared by completing cluster analyses on each group's profiles. Both groups yielded an "overwhelmed" cluster that was statistically the same. Secondly, they each yielded a "normal" cluster that was similar but statistically different. Finally, the incest group yielded an "angry and confused" cluster and the control group yielded a "somatizer" cluster. Descriptions of the clusters and reasons for their differences are proposed.Differential impact was examined by comparing the incest clusters on number of abusers, use of threat or force, identity of the abuser, perceived betrayal by a non offending parent, length of time since abuse, and length of time in counseling. The only significant finding in these analyses was that the "overwhelmed" cluster had a greater number of abusers than the "angry and confused" and the "normal" clusters.The first two analyses were included in the study to validate the similarity of the present data with previous research and to demonstrate the myopic vision that results from analyzing the data in these manners. The cluster analysis allowed for the examination of the differential impact of the numerous long term sequalae. Recommendations for further research are presented as well as implications for treatment. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Few studies have attempted to explore the area of abuser acknowledgement for survivors of childhood abuse. This qualitative research study used a case study methodology to explore the experience of a survivor of childhood sexual abuse in receiving acknowledgement from the abuser. Data was collected through an interview with the participant and was transcribed and analyzed as part of an in-depth data analysis process. Twelve themes of experience emerged from the data analysis process; these themes were experienced either in the immediate moment of receiving the acknowledgement or in the days. months, and years following the acknowledgement. These themes are discussed along with strengths and limitations of the study, directions for future research, and implications for practitioners.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (M.Phil.) -- Australian Catholic University, 2002. / Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy for the School of Social Work. Bibliography: p. 163-180. Also available in an electronic format via the internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 325-353.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Ashland Theological Seminary, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 195-206).

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-133). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (PhD) -- AUT University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print ( xii, 265 leaves ; 30 cm.) in City Campus Theses Collection (T 616.8583 FRE )