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They Don’t Listen: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-synthesis of Children’s Sexual Abuse

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Abstract

Although the literature is copious with studies using qualitative methodology to retrospectively explore issues related to child sexual abuse (CSA) from the adult’s perspective, there is a dearth of qualitative literature regarding the child’s perception of sexual abuse. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) is to inform practice and research to understand how children make sense of sexual abuse, the factors that influence their disclosure experiences, and coping methods used after disclosure. The QIMS included studies from various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, social work and medicine, to understand the experiences of childhood victims of sexual abuse. Three themes and five subthemes emerged: (1) phases of CSA: (a) initial onset of symptoms, (b) maladaptive coping, and (c) paralyzing fear; (2) types of disclosure: (a) healthy disclosure and healing and (b) destructive disclosure, and; (3) traumatizing “helping” process for CSA victims. In an effort to reduce negative outcomes associated with CSA, it is imperative to explore one’s perception of sexual abuse while still a child to inform prevention and intervention efforts of their specific understanding of the experience.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 South University Ave, Little Rock, AR, 72204, USA

    Jennifer Watkins-Kagebein

  2. School of Social Work, University of Arkansas, 106 SCWK, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA

    Tracey Marie Barnett

  3. School of Social Work, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 South University Ave, Little Rock, AR, 72204, USA

    Shannon Collier-Tenison

  4. School of Social Work, Tulane University, 127 Elk Place, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Joan Blakey

Authors
  1. Jennifer Watkins-Kagebein
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  2. Tracey Marie Barnett
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  3. Shannon Collier-Tenison
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  4. Joan Blakey
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Correspondence to Tracey Marie Barnett.

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Watkins-Kagebein, J., Barnett, T.M., Collier-Tenison, S. et al. They Don’t Listen: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-synthesis of Children’s Sexual Abuse. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 36, 337–349 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-019-00615-w

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