Kathleen Monahan

Enhancing the health care experiences of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

ABSTRACT This article addresses the medical issues presented by women who were sexually abused in childhood and provides a detailed and direct link between the existing literature and its implications for the medical system. A profile of the sexual abuse survivor is given, including child sexual abuse (CSA) characteristics and sequelae that influence the adult female survivors health. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is outlined as part of a complex interplay of physiological and psychological symptomatology that can compromise the CSA survivors ability to access health care treatment and forge a positive provider/patient relationship. This article emphasizes that effective treatment with sexual abuse survivors must include interdisciplinary collaboration among health care professionals. Management of the CSA patient, a case vignette illustrating salient themes, and finally, guidelines for the health care practitioner are presented.

Disabled Women Sexually Abused in Childhood: Treatment Considerations

There is a dearth of literature addressing the issues presented in the treatment of adult disabled women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse. This article focuses on the pertinent issues involved in clinically treating this population, such as the meaning of the traumatic event of sexual abuse for the individual, the disability and how it may have impacted her in terms of dependence, body integrity, and sexuality. Coping strategies and case examples are presented and possible countertransferential reactions are examined.

Crocodile talk: attributions of incestuously abused and nonabused sisters.

This study is a qualitative analysis of the attributions of sisters (abused and nonabused sister dyads, n = 10 and abused sister dyads, n = 10) who grew up in an incestuous family. While the sibling subsystem is reported to be the most important and enduring relational environment in the life of the family, little is known about the cognitions and attributions of siblings, regarding incest. This study examines the attributions of participants regarding the general sibling group, victim selection and nonselection, as well as attributions regarding jealousy, protection, and guilt within the sister relationship.

DEATH OF AN ABUSER: DOES THE MEMORY LINGER ON?

Although the fields of bereavement and traumatology regarding childhood physical and sexual abuse have developed simultaneously, little information exists regarding the issues of bereavement for a sexual abuse survivor when the decedent was the abuser. This article is a case study that examines the reactions, themes, and attributions that individuals experience regarding the loss of a relative who was sexually abusive to them during childhood and discusses the impact of that abuse on the bereavement process.

Prevention principles for practitioners: a solution or an illusion?

SUMMARY The social work profession has sought to eliminate, or at the very least, ameliorate those social ills that were believed to contribute to severe social and personal dysfunction. Prevention programs have been a primary factor in this endeavor. Prevention programs have addressed a vast array of difficulties including adolescent suicide, youth violence, teenage pregnancy, home visiting programs for families at high-risk for neglect and abuse as well as out-of-home placement. This paper addresses the concept of prevention and incorporates the notion of resilience in eight (8) prevention practice principles. Case examples are provided as well as a discussion for future directions for prevention in the field of social work.

The Use of Humor With Older Adults Aging in Place

As more older adults seek ways to remain in their homes during their “golden years,” humor has proven to be a worthwhile intervention that reduces stress and provides a hopeful, playful, and optimistic environment. Development of creative and supportive housing situations for older adults combined with the use of modern technology (e.g., the Internet and computer devices used in the home), aid in bringing humor to the older adult. This article addresses some of the challenges that older adults face and the way that the use of humor can assist them to meet these challenges.

Humor, Aging, and Life Review: Survival Through the Use of Humor

Humor has been shown to assist in the process of aging, particularly in improving health, reducing stress, and improving psychological well-being. This article addresses the tasks of aging, or what Erickson (1963) terms, “the end stage of life,” through the lens of humor. These issues include: identity, self-esteem, heritage and culture, mortality, loss, and self-worth.

An Interview with Dr. Cornelius Foley: Humor, Palliative Care and Hospice

Dr. Cornelius Foley, a geriatrician, is Director of Parker Jewish Institute, New Hyde Park, New York. Dr. Foley discussed the use of humor in his work in a hospice and palliative care environment with Dr. Kathleen Monahan.

The Use of Humor, Jesting, and Playfulness With Traumatized Elderly

Current statistics indicate that there are a fair proportion of American elderly who have been traumatized in a variety of ways during their lifetime. Social workers and health care workers are likely to encounter this population in a myriad of contexts. This article presents the benefits of humorous interventions in trauma work, guidelines for its use, and case examples when working with the elderly.

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Physical and Dental Health Outcomes

This chapter addresses the negative health outcomes for adult childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. It is now well established that CSA survivors have a myriad of longterm physical health related disorders and disease processes (Boscarino, 2004; Irish, Kobayashi, & Delahanty, 2010; Monahan & Forgash, 2000) mental health difficulties, (Briere & Scott, 2006; Briere & Weathers, 2005; Brown, 2009) and dental health issues (Teram; Leeners, Stiller, Block, Gorres, Imthurn, Rath, 2007). Many of these individuals will exhibit health risk behaviors as well (Felitti, Anda, Nordenberg et al, 1998; Owens & Chard, 2001; Chartier, Walker, Naimark, 2008; Liebshutz et al., 2000; Meade, Kershaw, Hansen, Sikkema, 2009). Additionally, oral and dental health has been recognized as a strong predictor of physical health problems. Recently, the dental health of CSA survivors has been an area of investigation.