Men Who Were Sexually Abused in Childhood: Coping Strategies and Comparisons in Psychological Functioning

• NCJ Number: 228117
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect; The International Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 471-479
• Author(s): Patrick J. O'Leary
• Date Published: 2009
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined coping strategies among Australian men who were sexually abused in childhood.

Abstract

Results show significant psychopathology among men who were sexually abused in childhood when compared to normative samples. Also identified were the coping styles that are important to men's psychological functioning. This study identified specific coping styles that were predictive of both positive and negative outcomes on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28); the coping style of "positive reinterpretation and growth" significantly decreased the odds of a clinical score while "Behavioral disengagement," "acceptance," and "suppression of competing activities" significantly increased the odds of a clinical score. When using coping styles to predict posttraumatic stress disorder, both "positive reinterpretation and growth," and "use of instrumental social support" were significant in reducing the odds of this classification. Meanwhile, "behavioral disengagement," "use of emotional social support," and "acceptance" were significant in increasing the odds of being classified under the posttraumatic stress disorder category. Also found was that men favored acceptance coping strategies characterized by feeling powerless to act and this was associated with maladaptive psychological functioning. Other negative coping strategies such as disengagement and suppression are consistent with findings on women's least productive coping strategies. Of particular importance is the identification of coping strategies associated with nonclinical outcomes, "the use of instrumental social support" and "positive reinterpretation and growth." Data were collected from 147 Australian men, recruited from agencies and self-help groups who support adults who were sexually abused in childhood; a secondary dataset consisted of 1,231 Australian men. Tables and references