Resilience Strategies of Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and their Female Partners: A Phenomenological Inquiry

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald K. Crete ◽  
Anneliese A. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Cultural Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Masculine Identity ◽  
Female Partners ◽  
Male Survivors ◽  
Negative Coping

This phenomenological study explored the lived experience of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) who identified as resilient in their current relationships with female partners. The study was grounded in Relational-Cultural Theory (Jordan, 2004; Miller, 1976) in order to examine the relational movements within participants' relationships with their female partners. The findings identified seven relational movements that corresponded with growth in resilience. Resilient male survivors moved from past abuse to therapeutic processing and from isolation to finding a purpose. Personal and relational challenges to resilience were self-hatred, insecurity, restricted emotionality, masculine identity crisis, and negative coping strategies. Resilient male survivors developed mutual empathy, greater trust, and deeper connections; reprocessed their masculine identity; and developed a positive vision for the future. Implications for future research and practice and study limitations are discussed.

Using Prolonged Exposure With an Older Male U.S. Veteran With Childhood Sexual Abuse-Related PTSD

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elissa McCarthy ◽  
Joan M. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Meaningful Improvement ◽  
Chronic Ptsd

Older adults have generally not been included in randomized clinical trials of psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Of the case reports and treatment outcome studies that have included those aged 55 and older, most did not include men with sexual abuse-related PTSD. This case report presents the successful application of Prolonged Exposure (PE) to a 58-year-old single, Caucasian noncombat U.S. Army veteran with severe, chronic PTSD related to several sexual assaults, including childhood sexual abuse. PE is a manualized, short-term, evidence-based psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD which involves psychoeducation, breathing retraining, in vivo exposure, and imaginal exposure. PTSD and depressive symptoms demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement during the course of treatment. In addition, he experienced significant improvement in quality of life as well as meaning and purpose from baseline to posttreatment. Implications for clinically working with older men with untreated childhood sexual abuse-related PTSD later in life are presented. Future research directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Understanding the lived experience of British non-offending paedophiles

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-81
Author(s):  
Harriet Dymond ◽  
Simon Duff
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Sexual Attraction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Research into paedophilia mainly uses offender samples; thus, little is understood about non-offending paedophiles. The limited body of research has been conducted in North America or Europe whose health and legal systems differ from those in the UK. Using semi-structured interviews, the purpose of this study is to explore the experience of three non-offending British paedophilic males. Design/methodology/approach The interview discussed their paedophilia, refraining from offending and perspectives on treatment initiatives. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Three superordinate themes emerged: “paedophilia as more than a sexuality,” “acceptance leads to management” and “barriers to support.” These encapsulated how paedophilia was understood, how accepting one’s sexual attraction is tantamount to well-being and the various obstacles to providing support were discussed. Research limitations/implications Acknowledging the sampling considerations (size and recruitment), the results implicate research into paedophilia. The onset of paedophilia was chronologically associated with typical sexual attraction, and not the result of sexual abuse as some theories suggest. Furthermore, the tenets of attraction to children extending beyond sexual desire were highlighted. Practically, the results influence future research into the area and highlight the dearth in our understanding of diverse behavioural management techniques (i.e. computerised images of children or human-like dolls). Originality/value This paper presents novel insight into the aspects of paedophilia, excluding offensive behaviour and highlights the need for affordable, UK-based services targeted towards people with a paedophilic attraction to manage child sexual abuse preventatively and not reactively.

Awareness of Guilt and Shame in Intimate Violence

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zvi Eisikovits ◽  
Guy Enosh
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
The Self ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intimate Violence ◽  
Male Batterers ◽  
Female Partners ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of moral feelings—guilt and shame —in the emergence and aftermath of intimate violence, and the way in which these emotions affect the self and behaviors of those involved. This is a phenomenological study using content analysis of in-depth interviews with 20 male batterers and their female partners. The findings indicate that the extent of authenticity and assumption of responsibility concerning moral feelings will determine whether these will or will not lead to intimate violence. Thus it becomes possible to trace five alternative paths of the relationship between moral feelings and intimate violence. Implications for theorizing and future research about the role of moral feelings in intimate violence are suggested.

scholarly journals Understanding the childbirth experiences of childhood sexual abuse survivors: a phenomenological study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Mathewson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Abuse Survivors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Childbearing Women ◽  
Childbirth Experiences

This study describes the childbirth experiences of survivors of childhood sexual abuse using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Data collection involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews of four women who gave birth to a baby within the last five years. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, three superordinate themes emerged: control, anxiety, and detachment. This contributes to the current body of research by extending knowledge on what it means to experience childbirth for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, told by the woman herself. These findings are especially important in understanding what is required in providing safe, sensitive care for all childbearing women, and has important implications for practice, education, and further research.

scholarly journals Imprisonment: Young Pacific womens' experiences of living with depression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Aotearoa Muaiava
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Parent Education ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Music Reading ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Cultural Pressures

<p>Research has shown that depression is prevalent in adolescence. This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of young Pacific Island (PI) women (17-25 years of age) living in New Zealand. Phenomenological interviewing was used to capture the lived experiences of depression with the aim of developing a deeper understanding of what it is like to be a young depressed PI woman. The essence of being depressed was imprisonment. Young PI women described how family and cultural pressures, experiences of failure and abuse led to their depression. They experienced rejection, being labelled, misunderstood and silenced by others and their circumstances and depression trapped them. The women managed their depression by finding their voice in writing journals, listening to music, reading bible scriptures, prayer and connecting to others with similar lived experience. The implications of the study are discussed in relation to improving parent education and culturally relevant support for young PI women. Recommendations for future research include developing approaches to research that include a more specific cultural and gender focus.</p>

scholarly journals Imprisonment: Young Pacific womens' experiences of living with depression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Aotearoa Muaiava
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Parent Education ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pacific Island ◽  
Music Reading ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Cultural Pressures

<p>Research has shown that depression is prevalent in adolescence. This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of young Pacific Island (PI) women (17-25 years of age) living in New Zealand. Phenomenological interviewing was used to capture the lived experiences of depression with the aim of developing a deeper understanding of what it is like to be a young depressed PI woman. The essence of being depressed was imprisonment. Young PI women described how family and cultural pressures, experiences of failure and abuse led to their depression. They experienced rejection, being labelled, misunderstood and silenced by others and their circumstances and depression trapped them. The women managed their depression by finding their voice in writing journals, listening to music, reading bible scriptures, prayer and connecting to others with similar lived experience. The implications of the study are discussed in relation to improving parent education and culturally relevant support for young PI women. Recommendations for future research include developing approaches to research that include a more specific cultural and gender focus.</p>

Predictors of Victim–Perpetrator Relationship Stability Following a Sexual Assault: A Brief Report

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie M. Edwards ◽  
Megan C. Kearns ◽  
Christine A. Gidycz ◽  
Karen S. Calhoun
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relationship Stability ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perpetrator Blame ◽  
Trauma Symptomatology

The researchers assessed the predictors of victim–perpetrator relationship stability following a sexual assault. Participants included 254 women sexually assaulted by a friend, casual dating partner, or steady dating partner. Results suggested that most victim–perpetrator relationships (75%) continued following the sexual assault. Greater trauma symptomatology, less perpetrator blame, and nondisclosure of the assault by victims predicted relationship continuation with the perpetrator. Additionally, the odds of continuing the relationship were greater following acts of sexual coercion than following acts of completed rape. Close relationships (steady dating partner) were more likely to continue following the sexual assault than less close relationships (friends and casual dating partners). Unexpectedly, the odds of relationship stability were greater for women without histories of childhood sexual abuse than women with histories of childhood sexual abuse. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.

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