For the adult survivor of incest, the evolution from victim to survivor occurs in complex and creative ways. Often journal writing can be a means of exposing and exploring past abuse. The process of journal writing is special in that it allows the adult survivor to break the silence and shame imposed by the perpetrator while remaining essentially…

Child sexual abuse continues to be a problem despite efforts towards prevention. The burden of protecting children still falls mainly on women, yet society's general attitudes take away from women the tools they need to do this job. Mothers of sexually abused children have been blamed for their daughters' abuse because of their emotional…

This study was conducted to assess the effects of incest using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Women (N=81) seeking counseling for issues related to an incestuous childhood and nonsexually abused adult female counseling clients (N=90) completed the MMPI and a background information questionnaire. The groups were compared by…

Information regarding the dynamics of incestuous families is greatly needed as long as misconceptions hamper attempts at prevention and intervention. Helping professionals need to be aware of the prevalence of incest, to be able to identify victims, and to devise therapeutic approaches to help both victim and offender. This study examined the…

The purpose of this study is to illustrate how the combined use of qualitative and quantitative methods were necessary in obtaining within this society a clearer understanding of incest. The paper opens with a report of studies carried out on natural father and stepfather incestuous families, and this opens up the issue of the appropriateness of…

The psychological status of sexual abuse victims has long been debated. Recent studies have revealed notable findings common to abuse victims, many of which may either be exacerbated or occur more frequently in chemically dependent populations. This study was conducted to examine correlates of sexual abuse among a sample drawn from 1,824…

There is growing acknowledgement of the association between family violence and alcohol use. A study was conducted to examine the role that abuse plays in the lives of women and to investigate the relationship between alcohol and violence. Data were collected from 35 recovering female alcoholics and 35 nonalcoholic women on their sexual experience…

This paper describes a four-phase therapeutic approach that has proven useful to adult female and male survivors of child sexual abuse. The methods described are primarily used in individual therapy, although the context is within the family therapy realm and relies heavily upon Structural Family Systems Theory. The four phases which a victim…

Object relations theory offers the most viable explanation of the dynamics of sexually abused individuals by allowing for the conceptualization of an individual, whose earlier object relations left him barren, lonely, or neglected, as having a predisposition or vulnerability to abuse. Children with adequate nurturing experiences react negatively…

This document contains an experiential presentation for counselors dealing with the special needs and difficulties of adolescent female survivors of incest who participate in group therapy. It briefly describes a group therapy program for female adolescent survivors of incest offered by a counseling center in Ohio which meets once a week. It…

Over the past decade, there has developed a steadily growing literature on the identification and treatment of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Much of the literature has focused on the incidence and psychological impact of the abuse, and on techniques and stages of treatment. Less attention has been given thus far to the details and nuances…

There is evidence that many women experience sexual assault, and that sexual assault can cause psychological and interpersonal problems. This study examined the psychological aftermath of sexual assault in a probability sample of female university students and employees (N=542), focusing on how various aspects of a victim's lifetime sexual assault…

The Diagnostic Inventory of Personality and Symptoms (DIPS) was used to examine psychopathology in 30 therapy outpatients with histories of incest. Subjects also responded to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Correlations were used to examine characteristics of the sample and to identify circumstances of their experiences of incest which…

In late adolescence and early adulthood, an ideally developing woman learns to cope with the world outside her family of origin and acquires a sense of identity that is stable and largely positive. Individuals with severe early trauma may have difficulty completing adolescence. Incest is one childhood trauma that can either be mastered in late…

Many recent studies have investigated the persisting negative impact of childhood and adolescent sexual victimization on later adult psychological functioning and adjustment. This study assessed psychopathology in a clinical sample of 30 women with histories of intra-familial sexual victimization, 22 women with histories of extra-familial sexual…