The Experience of Partner Relationships for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Synthesis

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802199831
Author(s):  
Chloe Weetman ◽  
Gundi Kiemle ◽  
Michelle Lowe ◽  
Robert Balfour
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
English Language ◽  
Sexual Intimacy ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Male Survivors ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Partner Relationships ◽  
Critical Appraisal Skills

Research has documented wide-ranging psychological impacts of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) for male survivors, but their experience of relationships is understudied. This qualitative review aimed to synthesize the qualitative literature concerning the experience of partner relationships for male CSA survivors. Electronic searches were conducted across PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed, complemented by hand searches of references. Searches were limited to English-language peer-reviewed studies. Studies were included if they sampled adult male CSA survivors and reported qualitative data on their experience of partner relationships. Sixteen studies met the review criteria. Articles were quality-appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist (2018), and narrative synthesis derived five themes: “sexual orientation confusion,” “sexual intimacy difficulties,” “the barrier of emotional intimacy,” “navigating agency,” and “healing and growth through love.” Key findings were male CSA survivors can face considerable barriers to relational intimacy; however, romantic relationships also offer a space to heal and experience post-traumatic growth (PTG). Clinicians should be aware of the diffuse impacts CSA can have upon male survivors’ intimate relationships. Helping survivors and their partners build a safe space in which to process CSA, reassert agency and relational boundaries, and express love and validation can support survivors toward PTG.

Post-Traumatic Growth, Dissociation, and Sexual Revictimization in Female Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael Lahav ◽  
Karni Ginzburg ◽  
David Spiegel
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Abuse Survivors ◽  
Efficacy Trial ◽  
Sexual Revictimization ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Moderating Role

Background:Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors are at high risk of sexual revictimization. At the same time, some survivors report positive transformations resulting from the traumatic experience, a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Although one might expect PTG to be related to reduced risk of revictimization, the link between PTG and revictimization has not been investigated. Furthermore, mixed findings regarding the associations between PTG and distress imply that the effects of PTG are multifaceted. One potential explanation may be that dissociation shapes the implications of PTG, making it more like denial than adaptive processing of traumatic experience. This longitudinal study explores (a) the associations between PTG and sexual revictimization and (b) the moderating role of dissociation within the associations between PTG and revictimization.Method:Participants were 111 female CSA survivors who participated in a 6-month efficacy trial evaluating the effectiveness of group psychotherapy for CSA survivors with HIV risk factors.Results:Dissociation moderated the associations between PTG and revictimization: Whereas PTG had nonsignificant effects on revictimization in participants with low dissociation, it predicted elevated levels of revictimization in participants with high dissociation.Conclusions:Reports of PTG among some CSA survivors might mirror dissociative beliefs that increase their risk of revictimization.

A conceptual model of post-traumatic growth among children and adolescents in the aftermath of sexual abuse

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan McElheran ◽  
Allison Briscoe-Smith ◽  
Anna Khaylis ◽  
Darrah Westrup ◽  
Chris Hayward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

The Dark Cartoon: Intrusive Imagery Secondary to Childhood Sexual Abuse

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-175
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Katsuura ◽  
Vincent Russell
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
Aged Woman ◽  
Middle Aged Woman ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Intrusive Imagery ◽  
State Examination

AbstractWe report on the case of a middle-aged woman with a complex psychiatric history in whom atypical intrusive imagery identified in the mental status examination appeared to represent an emergence of childhood dissociative phenomena. These new symptoms led to the reappraisal of her clinical presentation and a diagnostic re-evaluation that they represented a re-emergence of childhood post-traumatic stress disorder secondary to sexual abuse. We discuss the phenomenology identified in our patient with the aim of increasing awareness of unusual symptoms in adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse and the importance of the mental state examination in eliciting and classifying such phenomena.

Symptomatology of reconstitution of trauma in adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse. An approach from the perspective of SONapp application

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodica Weihmann
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Borderline Personality Disorder ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Borderline Personality ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Traumatic

Adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse often experience symptoms derived from lived traumatic experiences, which are analogous to many of the criteria of diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) but also with those of stress disorder post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We will briefly examine these symptoms in the context of a framework trauma, to conclude later whether symptomatic behaviors may be indicative more accurate for a post-traumatic response, especially in terms of behavior reconstitution or re-experience of trauma. Recognition of self-harm behavior or masochistic tendencies in adult survivors of sexual abuse trauma as an attempt to reconstitution of sexual trauma suffered in childhood, rather than as a manifestation characteristic of personality disorders, serves to establish an appropriate diagnosis, mental health professionals can continue to focus on the consequences of trauma unresolved sexual issues rather than personality restructuring. (Standardized intervention model SON, Delcea C ., 2019) Thus, seek to We understand clients in a trauma setting can provide a more objective treatment climate and can minimize the stigma that may result potentially from making an inappropriate diagnosis borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Positive Sexual Self-Schemas of Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-293
Author(s):  
Tracie L. Hitter ◽  
Eve M. Adams ◽  
Elizabeth J. Cahill
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Women Survivors ◽  
Cultural Theory ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Self Schema ◽  
Training And Research ◽  
Women's Healing ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Sexual Exploration

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences of eight women survivors of childhood sexual abuse who view themselves as having a positive sexual self-schema, including their experiences of sexual satisfaction. Through thematic analysis, we developed the following themes: The Context for Sexual Development, Sexual Exploration, Coping Strategies, and Embracing the Sexual Self as Whole. The findings highlight the importance of relational, interpersonal, and community healing. Integral to women’s healing were experiences of sexual risk that allowed them to gain a sense of agency and empowerment. The themes that emerged provide additional support for Relational Cultural Theory as well as post-traumatic growth. We discuss the implications of these results in relation to counseling practice, training, and research.

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