Original Articles

Coping Behaviour, Posttraumatic Growth and Psychological Well-Being in Women with Childhood Sexual Abuse

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 23 , issue 2 , 2013 , pages: 259–268

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2013.10820622

Author(s): Hayley J. Walker-Williams North-West University, South Africa , Chrizanne van Eeden North-West University, South Africa , Karen van der Merwe North-West University, South Africa

Keywords: women , childhood sexual abuse , constructive coping behaviour , posttraumatic growth , psychological well-being , positive psychology

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Abstract

This study investigated the coping behaviours and posttraumatic growth of women with sexual abuse in childhood (CSA) and long-term effects on their psychological well-being in adulthood. Participants were 10 women survivors of CSA (ages ranging from 23–48 years). Data on how women resiled, coped and thrived were collected using individual interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis were used for data analysis. The data were thematically analyzed. Themes to emerge from the analysis included the importance of positive coping behaviour, evolving alternative life narratives and the development and utilization of inner strengths.

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