The long-term relational impacts of child sexual abuse by a parent

Abstract

This qualitative autoethnographic research study examines the long-term relationship impacts of child sexual abuse (CSA) by parent. Using snowball sampling seven resilient women were recruited for this research. From an autoethnographic and feminist perspective the researcher shares her personal story of CSA in solidarity with the seven women participants. Through semi-structured interviews the women contributors gave deep and rich relational personal her/stories about being sexually abused by their fathers.Using a "six-phase" model of thematic analysis, member checking, and qualitative transparency, two over-arching themes, and eight subthemes emerged from the data.Finally, through this research study it was apparent there needs to be more research about the understudied long-term relational impacts of being sexually abused by a parent and the mother's and families role in colluding with the perpetrator.