Female Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse Research Articles

Many ways of telling: expanding conceptualizations of child sexual abuse disclosure

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore influences that inhibit or promote child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosure. Method: Face-to-face in-depth interviews of 24 female and male survivors of CSA were conducted, using the Long-Interview method to trace disclosure processes. Verbatim transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed by hand and by using a computerized data analysis system (N*Vivo). The results of this investigation identified several patterns of disclosure. Prolonged engagement, persistent observation, negative case analysis, and peer debriefing were among the techniques used to ensure the trustworthiness of data. Results: Through analysis of the interview data, previously undefined dimensions of disclosure emerged. First, three frequently used categories of ‘accidental, purposeful, and prompted/elicited’ disclosure types accounted for 42% of disclosure patterns in the study sample. However, over half the disclosure patterns described by research participants did not fit these previously established definitions. Results of the study facilitated expanding conceptualization of additional disclosure patterns to include behavioral and indirect verbal attempts, disclosures intentionally withheld, and disclosures triggered by recovered memories. Conclusions: The author concludes that these supplementary definitions integrate complex facets of disclosure derived within the context of human development, memory and environmental influences. This expanded conceptualization provides professionals with a broader framework to understand and respond to child victims and adult survivor's disclosures more effectively.

Family of origin environments in two clinical samples of survivors of intra-familial, extra-familial, and both types of sexual abuse

Objective: It has been suggested that survivors of ongoing childhood sexual abuse (CSA) tend to have been reared in ineffective family environments that render them particularly vulnerable to maltreatment and which foster psychological difficulties beyond those accounted for solely by their abuse. If this conjecture is valid, one would expect that the family of origin environments of CSA survivors would be disturbed whether their abuser was intra-familial or extra-familial. To assess this hypothesis, two studies compared the childhood family of origin environments and supportive parenting characteristics of a clinical sample of women sexually abused by family members only (the intra-familial group), by non-family members only (the extra-familial group), and by both family and non-family members (the “both” group). Method: Study 1 compared the three groups (total N = 213) using the Family Environment Scale (FES). Study 2 compared groups (total N = 86) on the positive parenting scales of the Exposure to Abusive and Supportive Environments Parenting Inventory (EASE-PI). Results: In Study 1, multivariate analyses indicated significant differences on the independence, cohesion, and conflict subscales of the FES. Pairwise comparisons revealed that the extra-familial group reported significantly higher levels of family independence and lower levels of conflict than the other two groups. In addition, the extra-familial group reported higher levels of cohesion than the intra-familial group. However, the effect sizes of these comparisons were extremely small. In Study 2, multivariate analyses revealed no group differences on the EASE-PI scales. Conclusions: Low effect sizes on the three significant FES scales, non-significance on the remaining seven FES scales, and non-significance on the EASE-PI scales suggest that there is considerable similarity in the family of origin environments of adult female CSA survivors seeking therapy regardless of whether their perpetrators were family members, non-family members, or both family and non-family members.

Assessing the Long-Term Effects of EMDR: Results from an 18-Month Follow-Up Study with Adult Female Survivors of CSA

ABSTRACT This 18-month follow-up study builds on the findings of a randomized experimental evaluation that found qualified support for the short-term effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing trauma symptoms among adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The current study provides preliminary evidence that the therapeutic benefits of EMDR for adult female survivors of CSA can be maintained over an 18-month period. Furthermore, there is some support for the suggestion that EMDR did so more efficiently and provided a greater sense of trauma resolution than did routine individual therapy.

Group treatments for women sexually abused as children: a review of the literature and recommendations for future outcome research

Objective: Adults with a history of sexual abuse often suffer many long-term consequences. It is important that therapists be able to provide effective treatment to address the host of issues that are presented in therapy by adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). In order to provide the best possible treatment, therapists should know which treatments are most effective. Method: This paper provides a critique of the outcome research of 13 studies (six uncontrolled and seven controlled) on the treatment of adults who suffered childhood sexual abuse and discusses specific methodological strategies that can enhance the quality of such research in the future. Results: Although many of the studies contain methodological limitations, the results generally indicate that group treatment helps reduce symptomatology in the short-term and at follow-up. Conclusion: Although outcome research has not been published on specific individual or conjoint treatment approaches for adult survivors of CSA, several outcome studies have found group treatment to be effective in the recovery of female CSA survivors.

Further Understanding the Systemic Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Comparison of Two Groups of Clinical Couples

ABSTRACT This study addressed the impact of traumatic experiences on dyadic relationships by comparing general stress and trauma symptoms and relationship impairment measures between two clinical groups: female childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors (n = 15) and their male partners, and a control group of couples who reported no CSA (n = 17). Both female CSA survivors and their partners reported higher symptoms of stress, suggesting support for the theory of secondary traumatic stress. Relationship impairment results did not support the hypothesis that CSA would negatively impact the dyadic functioning of couples. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are provided.

Cognitions and Behaviors Scale: Development and Initial Performance of a Scale for Use With Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Objective: A conceptually based assessment scale was developed for use with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Method: A convenience sample of 287 university students completed a demographic survey and responded to a pool of items using a Likert-type scale. The main form of analysis is factor analysis, reliability and validity analyses, and t tests. Results: The analysis resulted in a valid and reliable multidimensional scale that is conceptually based. Hypotheses that survivors of CSA would score significantly higher than nonsurvivors and that female and male survivors of CSA would not have significant differences in subscale and total scale scores were supported. Conclusions: The scale reported here should be tested with known groups to further establish its validity and usefulness in the clinical assessment and intervention process of adult survivors of CSA.

Traumagenic Dynamics in Adult Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse vs. Ado lescent Male Sex Offenders with Similar Histories

Adolescent sex offenders with a history of childhood sexual abuse have tradition ally been treated with coercive and confrontational interventions in correctional settings. This trend is related to the criminal nature of their offenses and is based on the assumption that they are very different from female survivors of sexual abuse. One hundred twenty female childhood sexual abuse survivors and 60 adolescent male sexual offenders with a history of childhood sexual abuse were assessed using the Trauma-Related Beliefs Questionnaire. ANOVA (p < .001) and univariate F tests comparing subscales suggested that male sex offenders hold high levels of traumagenic beliefs common in females, especially related to trust and betrayal. MANOVA (p < .01) and subsequent univariate F tests found male participants differed from female survivors on Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Vol. 33(2), 2001. Pp. 33–45. Ó 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. measures of stigmatization and traumatic sexualization, but were not significantly different from female subjects on measures of trust and powerlessness.

Interpersonal and family functioning of female survivors of childhood sexual abuse

The empirical literature that addresses the association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and the interpersonal functioning of female survivors within their adult family context is critically examined. Specifically, research on relationship difficulties, problems in attachment, marital conflict and divorce, secondary traumatization, sexual dysfunction, maternal attitudes and functioning, and the heightened risk for having children who themselves are sexually abused is reviewed. There is converging evidence in both clinical and community samples that, compared to other women, female CSA survivors do experience more relationship problems and more problems in sexual functioning. Based on community samples, there is an indication that CSA survivors experience problems in marital functioning and attachment. Beyond this, little sound research has addressed the issues of secondary traumatization, maternal attitudes, maternal functioning, or intergenerational patterns of abuse. The use of specificity designs, improved sampling strategies, and standardized, psychometrically strong measures in future research would greatly improve the quality of our knowledge on the interpersonal and family functioning of CSA survivors.

Treatment effects of cognitive processing therapy on cognitive distortions of female child sexual abuse survivors

Fifty-three female adults with a history of child sexual abuse (CSA) were assessed to determine whether Cognitive Processing Therapy for Sexual Abuse (CPT-SA) affects cognitive distortions. CPT-SA is a 17-week manualized treatment designed to alleviate cognitive distortions as well as symptoms of PTSD and depression. At the initial assessment, 28 subjects were assigned to treatment, while 25 subjects entered a minimal-attention condition. Participants were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, 3-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up. The authors examined the correlation between PTSD severity, subscales of the Personal Beliefs and Reactions Scale (PBRS), and higher-order scales of the World Assumptions Scale (WAS). Most PBRS subscales were significantly correlated with PTSD severity at all assessment periods. Paired samples t tests indicated significant differences between pretreatment and posttreatment severity of distortions on both the PBRS and WAS for participants completing treatment. No significant differences in distortions were found between postassessment, 3-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up points.

Factors predicting PTSD, depression, and dissociative severity in female treatment-seeking childhood sexual abuse survivors☆, ☆☆, ★

Objective: Two main questions were asked: (1) what abuse characteristics relate to PTSD, depressive, and dissociative severity in adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA); and (2) what abuse characteristics influence the severity of dissociation during CSA.Method: 89 female CSA survivors’ current symptoms of PTSD, depression, and dissociation were assessed with standardized measures. Additionally, abuse characteristics (e.g., age of onset, peritraumatic dissociation) were assessed with a structured interview.Results: Correlational analyses indicated that peritraumatic dissociation was most strongly related to all three types of symptom severity. Additional posthoc correlational analyses revealed that women who experienced penile penetration, believed someone/thing else would be killed, and/or were injured as a result of the abuse exhibited more severe peritraumatic dissociation. Regression analyses indicated that peritraumatic dissociation was the only variable to significantly predict symptom severity across symptom type or disorder. Furthermore, different abuse characteristics predicted adult symptom severity and peritraumatic dissociation.Conclusions: The relation between peritraumatic dissociation and adult symptomatology was most intriguing and has two main clinical implications: (1) teaching engagement strategies to some CSA survivors in hopes of containing dissociative symptoms immediately following the abuse and (2) the inclusion of exposure-based interventions in the treatment of some adult CSA survivors where indicated.