This thesis explores the way in which memorable life events prompted change across the life course following experiences of childhood sexual abuse. Seven women and five men were recruited purposively within the United Kingdom. In-depth interviews were carried out which focussed on key life course concepts including time and place, linked lives and life events. Life History Calendars were jointly-produced simultaneous to the interviews, which allowed the collection of a broad and complex range of contextual and event-based data. The analysis hinged on the concept of 'emergent change', defined as fragile and tentative change set within dynamic and complex interpersonal and social environments. Emergent change came primarily in the form of contextualisation, recognition and disclosure (in childhood), seeking emotional support (in adolescence) and resolution and acceptance (in adulthood). Varied and unique memorable life events were identified as important catalysts for different kinds of emergent change, highlighting the importance of the meaning that people attach to them. However, the relationship between these events and change was highly continent upon context. A conceptual tool is offered as a way of navigating this relationship and other events, relationships and contexts which act as mediating, moderating, mitigating and reinforcing influences on emergent change The research - the first known study in the field of sexual abuse to examine the connection between memorable events and life change in-depth - therefore, makes an original contribution to the field of resilience and recovery following sexual abuse. Memorable events may provide another avenue to identify children experiencing abuse and, as contextualised within the tool, may have some use in therapeutic contexts for supporting recovery. The tool may also provide a basis for further qualitative and quantitative research in understanding the role of events in recovery.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:684914 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Allnock, Debra Sue |
| Publisher | University of Bristol |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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