Leslie L. Feinauer

Resilience factors associated with female survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Abstract The 22 women interviewed in this study were in a high-risk group for low self-esteem, depression, shame, and other long-term interpersonal difficulties due to their survival of childhood sexual abuse. Unlike many of their contemporaries, they have been able to have relationships, stable careers, and healthy personalities. This paper explores the variables and patterns gathered from their interviews. The resiliency themes extracted included: the ability to find emotional support outside the family; self-regard or the ability to think well of oneself; spirituality; external attribution of blame and cognitive style; and inner-directed locus of control.

Blame and resilience in women sexually abused as children

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between attribution of blame and recovery from childhood sexual abuse. Specifically, blaming self, fate, or both self and fate were associated with higher levels of symptomatology, while blaming the perpetrator was associated with the lowest level of symptomatology. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Severity of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Symptom Differences Between men and Women

Abstract Several aspects of childhood sexual abuse were investigated to deterrmine the “best model” for predicting long-term symptoms found both in male and female survivors. Level of severity accounted for the most variation for both men and women for each of the five measures of trauma symptoms (dissociation, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disturbance). The most severe level of sexual abuse was associated with significantly more long-term distress than other levels of abuse in both men and women. Differences and similarities between the findings for men and women are discussed.

Perpetrator-victim relationship: Long-term effects of sexual abuse for men and women

This study investigated the emotional and familial relationships of 465 victims and perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse. Four hundred nineteen women and 56 men who were victims of childhood sexual abuse completed the Trauma Symptom Checklist-33 (TSC-33; J. Briere & M. Runtz, 1989) and a severity of sexual abuse scale. In addition, the abuse survivors answered questions about their emotional relationships with the offender prior to the abuse. The data were analyzed with analysis of variance. The dependent variable was the adjustment to the trauma, as measured by the TSC-33. The independent variables were perpetrator identity, gender, level of abuse, and emotional feelings exhibited toward the perpetrator prior to being sexually abused. The most pervasive symptoms were found among participants who were abused by a father figure and women who were very severely abused. Contrary to theoretical expectations, there were no statistically significant differences based on gender.

The impact of hardiness and severity of childhood sexual abuse on adult adjustment

Abstract This study explored the relationship of hardiness, severity of abuse, frequency and duration of abuse, and the identity of the perpetrator on adjustment in a nonclinical sample of 255 women survivors. A path analysis indicated that hardiness was a significant mediating variable to adjustment. Additionally, severity was found to significantly contribute to overall adjustment Preliminary analyses showed the following: 1) longer duration and more frequent abuse resulted in higher severity scores; 2) women who showed higher levels of commitment control, and challenge were better adjusted; 3) women whose abuse was more frequent and of longer duration demonstrated more emotional trauma symptoms; and 4) father/stepfather abuse was related to poorer adjustment. Implications for treatment are explored.

Comparison of long-term effects of child abuse by type of abuse and by relationship of the offender to the victim

Abstract Sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not fully comprehend and to which they do not freely consent. The long-term effects of these violations of children have been described clinically. This study was initiated to demonstrate differences in emotional distress experienced by childhood victims of sexual abuse when abused by relatives, friends, or strangers. Clinical records of 311 women were reviewed following termination from psychotherapy. Fifteen percent of the women indicated they had been abused by a father, brother, grandfather, stepfather, friend, or stranger. The women identified long-term emotional effects related to their experiences. The most devastating psychological effects appeared in this sample when the victims were abused by a trusted person who was known to them. Family relationship (father, stepfather, brother) did not appear to be the determining factor in creating distress, but rather, the emotional bond the victim f...

Positive intimate relationships decrease depression in sexually abused women

Abstract A sample of 737 adult women was studied to determine if adjustment to intimate relationships, depression, and level of severity of childhood sexual abuse were related. Multiple analysis of variance was run to see if depression scores were associated with three categories of severity of abuse and three levels of adjustment in intimate relationships. The results suggested that as severity of abuse moved from no abuse, to noncontact abuse, to contact abuse, scores measuring to intimate relationship decreased. It was also found that increased relationship adjustment was associated with lower levels of depression in survivors of sexual abuse. The greater the adjustment to intimate relationships, the lower the depression scores, despite the severity of the childhood abuse. Successful intimate relationships may be beneficial for survivors by giving themsafety,interpersonal experiences, and re-connection.

Hardiness as a Moderator of Shame Associated with Childhood Sexual Abuse

An adult female sample of childhood sexual abuse survivors (n = 195) were surveyed to determine if hardiness was effective in moderating the negative effects of the perceived trauma and severity of the sexual abuse and internalized shame on relationship intimacy. The results indicated that perception of abuse, severity of abuse, and shame were significantly and negatively related to hardiness. Hardiness was found to have a significant moderating effect on the negative impact of internalized shame and severity of abuse on marital/relationship intimacy.

Acute and Chronic Dissociation and Somatized Anxiety as Related to Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Abstract Minimal research has been done to determine if a relationship exists between dissociative patterns and somatized anxiety found in psychological disorders and various childhood sexual abuse variables. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if there was any relationship between the effects of any one of four variables–1) identity of perpetrator, 2) frequency and 3) duration of abuse experiences, and 4) severity of sexual abuse–and survivor symptomatology of acute dissociation, chronic dissociation, and somatized anxiety. Data from a sample of 226 respondents showed that severity of the sexual abuse experience was positively correlated with acute and chronic dissociation and somatized anxiety. Implications of these findings are explored, including clinical issues and recommendations for future research.

Comparison of the Family Therapy Educational and Experience Requirements for Licensure or Certification in Six Mental Health Disciplines

In a review of literature on clinical licensure programs and certified mental health disciplines, no studies specifically compared didactic methods and clinical training standards for family-based interventions. Consequently, consumers and insurers of these services have no basis from which to evaluate the relative competency of each of the mental health disciplines in providing family-based interventions. This study used content analysis to examine the amount of family based training that is required by six core mental health disciplines (Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nursing, Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Social Work) in each of the 50 United States. Results indicate that a marriage and family therapist is required to have three times more family therapy coursework than any other professional mental health discipline. Also, before becoming licensed a marriage and family therapist, must complete 16 times more face-to-face family therapy hours than a mental health professional from any other discipline. Implications for consumers and practitioners are discussed.