In this study, we aimed to explore the experiences of 10 female Taiwanese childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors (age range = 20-39 years) to broaden our understanding of the post-abuse coping process in a Chinese sociocultural context. This investigation was grounded on a feminist paradigm, and the consensual qualitative research method (Hill et…

Identifies a previously unexamined group of sexual abuse survivors (those from functional families) and addresses methodological flaws in previous research. Results indicate that women in the abused-dysfunctional group reported the highest level of psychological distress. Psychological distress reported by abused-functional women paralleled that…

Analyzed 20 sexually abused girls' pretreatment and posttreatment preference for sex of their counselor and girls' anticipated comfort with male versus female counselor, along with clients' actual posttreatment comfort. Girls treated by male counselors expressed significantly greater preference for and anticipated comfort with male counselors…

In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 women survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Over 160 individual strategies were coded and analyzed, and a theoretical model was developed describing causal conditions that underlie the development of survival and coping strategies, phenomena that arose from those causal conditions, contexts that influenced…

The relationship between perceived parental bonding to maternal and paternal primary caregivers and current psychological functioning was examined among adult female sexual abuse survivors (N=78). Although overall poorer adjustment was found, high paternal care was significantly associated with better psychological functioning. Data are discussed…

Investigated how the therapeutic process is associated with the retrieval of sexual abuse memories. A qualitative analysis of 11 adult women who identified themselves as victims of childhood sexual abuse resulted in the identification of 180 codes representing the participants' perspectives of therapy. Noteworthy codes were arranged into four…

Used a client-behavior system to evaluate the therapeutic process with 27 sexually abused girls enrolled in individual counseling. Findings indicate that clients were more likely to provide abuse-related answers in response to questions pertaining to child sexual abuse, regardless of whether they were treated by a male or female counselor. (RJM)

Two studies assessed whether coping strategies mediate the relations among 2 forms of perceived control (past and present control) and postassault distress among female sexual assault survivors. In Study 1, longitudinal data were gathered from 2 weeks to 1 year postassault (N=171). Past control (behavioral self-blame) was associated with more…

Tested whether individuals possessing traditional sex role attitudes could have their rape-related attitudes influenced by a psychoeducational intervention that had been effective with less traditional individuals. Results revealed that subjects who received intervention adhered less to rape myths and expressed less rape-supportive attitudes than…

Examines relationship between childhood sexual abuse and victimization in adulthood using a sample of university women. Analysis shows that there is a significant association between women who were abused in childhood and adult victimization. Reports that the odds of revictimization in adulthood were greater for women who were abused in childhood…

College women (N=150) viewed videotaped counseling vignettes varied by feminist orientation of counselor and explicitness of counselor's value statement about her approach. Subjects preferred feminist counselor for career and sexual assault concerns but no significant differences across counselors for personal concerns. Observed significant…

Examined childhood attachment, family environment, and adult social competencies to explain the association between sexual abuse and eating disorders (EDs). Females (n=154) filled out surveys that assessed parental bonds, sexual abuse history, self-efficacy, and other factors. Significant associations were found between family environment, incest,…

Drawing from trauma-related theory (e.g., M. F. Schwartz & P. Gay, 1996), this article presents a model of associations among child sexual abuse (CSA), psychological distress, alexithymia, and disordered eating (DE). Structural equation modeling was used to test this conceptual model with a sample of female college students (N = 589). Results…

The effects of stressful experiences on the psychological well-being of 113 homeless women and 116 low-income housed women were investigated. Measures of victimization assessed multiple dimensions of this construct, including criminal victimization, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse. Measures of daily environmental hassles and quality of family…