Listening to the Therapeutic Needs of Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 2033-2054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene Rapsey ◽  
Anna Campbell ◽  
Ken Clearwater ◽  
Tess Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Treatment Providers ◽  
Male Survivors ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Therapeutic Needs

Childhood sexual abuse of males is not uncommon with estimated prevalence rates across countries and different studies indicating that 8% of boys experience sexual abuse before age 18. A number of adverse outcomes are recognized in terms of mental health, behavioral, and relational difficulties. However, research also indicates that there is potential for healing. The present study explores the barriers, benefits, and processes involved in engagement in formal therapy for adult survivors of CSA from the male survivor’s point of view. Nine men spoke of their treatment experiences in response to semistructured interviews. Participants were all members of a group for male survivors of sexual abuse. Seven participants reported benefiting from treatment. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the interviews identified three superordinate themes: “motivation to engage in treatment,” “developing a connection with treatment providers,” and “changing thinking about the abuse.” These themes reveal a number of obstacles that are encountered in seeking treatment including stigma, process barriers, and engagement of a skilled and empathic therapist. For the men who were able to take part in therapy despite these barriers, improved quality of life were noted through the two primary mechanisms of relationship and changed thinking. Key changes in thinking included developing an awareness that they were not responsible for the abuse, understanding the effects of abuse, and developing an identity distinct from the experience of abuse. These changes in thinking occurred within the context of a robust therapeutic relationship.

scholarly journals Toward Sensitive Practice: Issues for Physical Therapists Working With Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candice L Schachter ◽  
Carol A Stalker ◽  
Eli Teram
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Female Survivors ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

Abstract Background and Purpose. The high rates of prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in the United States and Canada suggest that physical therapists work, often unknowingly, with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The purposes of this qualitative study were to explore the reactions of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse to physical therapy and to listen to their ideas about how practitioners could be more sensitive to their needs. The dynamics and long-term sequelae of childhood sexual abuse, as currently understood by mental health researchers and as described by the participants, are summarized to provide a context for the findings of this study. Subjects and Methods. Twenty-seven female survivors (aged 19–62 years) participated in semistructured interviews in which they described their reactions to physical therapy. Results. Survivors' reactions to physical therapy, termed “long-term sequelae of abuse that detract from feeling safe in physical therapy,” are reported. Participant-identified suggestions that could contribute to the sense of safety are shared. Conclusions and Discussion. Although the physical therapist cannot change the survivor's history, an appreciation of issues associated with child sexual abuse theoretically can increase clinicians' understanding of survivors' reactions during treatment. We believe that attention by the physical therapist to the client's sense of safety throughout treatment can maximize the benefits of the physical therapy experience for the client who is a survivor. [Schachter CL, Stalker CA, Teram E. Toward sensitive practice: issues for physical therapists working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Special Considerations for Various Populations

2021 ◽  
pp. 73-94
Author(s):  
Amie R. Newins ◽  
Laura C. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Group Therapy ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Male Survivors ◽  
The Military

While the recommendations provided throughout the book are meant to help clinicians work with survivors of sexual assault of various ages and backgrounds, working with some populations requires additional considerations. This chapter provides additional recommendations for working with survivors of sexual assault from various specific populations. In particular, recommendations are given for working with child and adolescent survivors; adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; male survivors; survivors who identify as gender and sexual minorities; survivors who are Black, indigenous, and people of color; and survivors who are serving or have served in the military. Suggestions are also provided for clinicians who work in educational settings and those who provide group therapy.

Factor analysis of DES scores among adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in therapy

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven N. Gold ◽  
Cheri Hansen ◽  
Janine M. Swingle ◽  
Erica L. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Adult Survivors

Handbook on Sensitive Practice for Health Care Practitioners: Lessons from Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candice L. Schachter ◽  
Carol A. Stalker ◽  
Eli Teram ◽  
Gerri C. Lasiuk ◽  
Alanna Danilkewich
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Health Care Practitioners

Forgetting of Trauma Cues in Adults Reporting Continuous or Recovered Memories of Childhood Sexual Abuse

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 336-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. McNally ◽  
Carel S. Ristuccia ◽  
Carol A. Perlman
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Divided Attention ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Recovered Memory ◽  
Recovered Memories ◽  
Betrayal Trauma ◽  
History Of ◽  
Memory Group

According to betrayal trauma theory, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) who were molested by their caretakers (e.g., a father) are especially likely to dissociate (“repress”) their memories of abuse. Testing college students, some reporting CSA, DePrince and Freyd (2004) found that those scoring high on a dissociation questionnaire exhibited memory deficits for trauma words when they viewed these words under divided-attention conditions. Replicating DePrince and Freyd's procedure, we tested for memory deficits for trauma words relative to neutral words in adults reporting either continuous or recovered memories of CSA versus adults denying a history of CSA. A memory deficit for trauma words under divided attention was expected in the recovered-memory group. Results were inconsistent with this prediction, as all three groups exhibited better recall of trauma words than neutral words, irrespective of encoding conditions.

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