NCJ Number
204833
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: 2003 Pages: 41-72
Date Published
2003
Length
32 pages
Annotation
Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, this study examined the immediate and long-term coping strategies used by survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA), with attention to how coping strategies evolved over time.
Abstract
The first phase of the study involved the identification of individuals with a history of CSA from a sample of 249 psychology undergraduate students. Of the 32 participants who reported a history of CSA, 11 volunteered to participate in the second phase of the study, which involved the completion of a number of psychometric tests and an interview about their experience. To compare the psychometric results of the CSA victims with a nonabused sample, female volunteers (n=20) were recruited from the same psychology student pool as the abused sample. The instruments administered to the participants were the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Belief Inventory-Revised, and the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised. Participants were invited to provide additional information if they wished. The qualitative findings indicated that subjects' coping with their CSA was not static but rather changed over time. Most survivors reported coping by engaging in psychological escape methods initially and then adopting cognitive appraisal and positive reframing strategies over the longer term. Only the maladjusted survivors reported using support-seeking and action-oriented strategies consistently over time. Perhaps continuing to seek support over the long term is indicative of a lack of control over one's situation. Also, action-oriented strategies tend to be associated with avoidance, and avoidance strategies are consistently reported to be associated with higher levels of psychological distress in CSA survivors. By identifying the coping strategies related to an adaptive outcome, therapists can assist CSA survivors who are struggling to find positive ways to cope with their experiences of CSA. Suggestions are offered for future research. 1 table, 3 figures, and 70 references