Personal constructs, childhood sexual abuse and revictimization

Abstract

Within the theoretical framework of Ryle's Procedural Sequence Object Relations Model and Kelly's Personal Construct Theory, this study investigates sex-role polarization of incest survivors and the centrality of abuse within survivors' constructs of men that may contribute to revictimization. Repertory grid methodology was used with 40 female survivors of childhood sexual abuse and 28 non-abused women. Grid measures and psychometric measures were compared between groups of women who had and had not experienced childhood sexual abuse, revictimized and non-revictimized survivors, and survivors who had and had not experienced incestuous abuse. Results showed significant differences between survivors and non-abused women, with survivors having higher levels of depression and perceived distress, lower self-esteem and higher self/ ideal self discrepancy. Hypothesized differences in sex-role polarization were not found. There were few differences between revictimized and non-revictimized survivors, although revictimized survivors rated 'self now' as more powerful than non-revictimized survivors. No differences were found between survivors who had and had not experienced incestuous abuse. In addition to the value of exploring personal constructs, a range of models need to be considered in understanding revictimization and women's construal of men. The implications of using repertory grid methodology for research and clinical work are discussed.

Child Sexual Abuse History and Feminine Gender-Role Identity

“…This finding is consistent with previous studies that found a link between self-discrepancies in adulthood and a history of CSA (Brewin and Vallance 1997;Freshwater et al 2001), although these studies did not ask about gendered self-concept. It is also in line with research that has found elevated negative self-representations among abused female children and adolescents (e.g., Calverley et al 1994).…”

“…Research has found abuse history related to actual-ought (Brewin and Vallance 1997) and actual-ideal (Freshwater et al 2001) self-discrepancies. However, no study has examined directly the link between CSA and particular aspects of the self, such as gender or feminine identity.…”

Victimized at Home Revictimized by Peers: Domestic Child Abuse a Risk Factor for Social Rejection

“…With regard to child sexual abuse, a large array of studies reported short and long-term psychological and social negative consequences of child sexual abuse such as depression, (Whiffen et al 2000) poor self-esteem (Freshwater et al 2001;Johnson 2004), avoidance behavior (Bal et al 2003) and social and adjustment difficulties (DiLillo 2001;Rumstein-McKean and Hunsley 2001;Luterek et al 2004). Others focused on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and dissociative disorders (e.g., Silberg 1998).…”

The consequences of childhood abuse

“…Many studies show that women who experienced sexual abuse as children suffer later in life from many problems such as depression (31) and eating disorders (32). Wilson (29), after analysing many studies, connects the experience of sexual abuse in childhood with fears, anxiety, depression, insomnia, obesity, self-destructive behaviour, aggression, rage, hostility, poor self-confidence, use of drugs and suicide attempts in adulthood.…”