Survivors Coping with a History of Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa

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Survivors Coping with a History of Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa SURVIVORS COPING WITH A HISTORY OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN SOUTH AFRICA Name: Andriana Karagianni This is a digitised version of a dissertation submitted to the University of Bedfordshire. It is available to view only. This item is subject to copyright. SURVIVORS COPING WITH A HISTORY OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN SOUTH AFRICA A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Author: Andriana Karagianni Date: March 2021 It is available to view only. This item is subject to copyright. SURVIVORS COPING WITH A HISTORY OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN SOUTH AFRICA Andriana Karagianni MPhil 2021 UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE SURVIVORS COPING WITH A HISTORY OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN SOUTH AFRICA by Andriana Karagianni A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy MARCH 2021 iv SURVIVORS COPING WITH A HISTORY OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN SOUTH AFRICA Andriana Karagianni Declaration I, Andriana Karagianni declare that this thesis and the work presented in it are my own and has been generated by me as the result of my own original research. I confirm that: • This work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a research degree at this University; • Where any part of this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree or any other qualification at this University or any other institution, this has been clearly stated; • Where I have drawn on or cited the published work of others, this is always clearly attributed; • Where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations, this thesis is entirely my own work; • I have acknowledged all main sources of help; • Where the thesis or any part of it is based on work done by myself jointly with others, I have made clear exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself; • Either none of this work has been published before submission, or parts of this work have been published as indicated on [insert page number or heading. v Abstract Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is global problem that is found in all societies and cultures. Although there is research exploring CSA in western countries, the literature shows that there is limited CSA research on developing countries, like South Africa which is the focus of this thesis. Incidence and prevalence rates are substantially higher in South Africa when compared to other countries and for that reason, further research is needed for the context of that region. The literature shows that ‘coping’ from CSA plays a significant role in survivors’ lives but it is an area that has not been explored sufficiently in South Africa. To this end, the subject of this thesis is to explore ‘coping’ from CSA in South Africa and to explore ways in which CSA survivors cope with their experiences of abuse. This has been achieved through outlining the existing research on CSA coping in the region with the aim to identify studies that are related with topic; to understand the main learnings for that specific population; and to compare these findings to the strategies of other western countries. The study identifies a number of coping strategies that have been adopted by CSA survivors in South Africa to cope with the abuse. It is also shown that similar strategies have been used by CSA survivors in western countries. The link between coping strategies in the area and the specific cultural characteristics is discussed as well. This thesis makes knowledge around coping strategies in South Africa available, and identifies areas for further research. vi Table of Contents Declaration .................................................................................................................... iv Abstract .......................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vi List of Tables................................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1. Overview of Child Sexual Abuse .............................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background Literature...................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Definitions of CSA ..................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Key historical facts about CSA .................................................................. 5 1.2.3 CSA in South Africa .................................................................................. 7 1.2.4 Prevalence and Incidence of CSA .............................................................. 8 1.2.5 Effects of CSA ......................................................................................... 11 1.2.6 Risk factors of CSA.................................................................................. 16 1.2.7 Disclosure ................................................................................................. 18 1.2.8 Recovery and resilience ........................................................................... 26 1.3 Conclusions and Research gap ....................................................................... 28 Chapter 2. Coping with Child Sexual Abuse ............................................................ 30 2.1 Coping theory and strategies .......................................................................... 30 2.1.1 Adaptive coping strategies ....................................................................... 31 2.1.2 Maladaptive coping strategies .................................................................. 32 2.2 Models to help survivors cope with the abuse ............................................... 33 vii Chapter 3. Methodology ............................................................................................ 35 3.1 Step 1 - Question formulation ........................................................................ 35 3.2 Step 2 - Locating studies ................................................................................ 35 3.3 Step 3 – Study selection and evaluation ......................................................... 36 3.4 Step 4 - Analysis and synthesis ...................................................................... 41 3.5 Step 5 - Reporting and using the results ......................................................... 42 Chapter 4. Data Analysis ........................................................................................... 43 4.1 Maladaptive coping strategies ........................................................................ 50 4.1.1 Substance misuse...................................................................................... 50 4.1.2 Sexual risky behaviours ........................................................................... 51 4.1.3 Anti-social behaviour ............................................................................... 52 4.1.4 Suicidal behaviours .................................................................................. 53 4.1.5 Denial ....................................................................................................... 53 4.2 Adaptive coping strategies ............................................................................. 53 4.2.1 Utilising support from family, friends and important others ................... 54 4.2.2 Utilising support available at schools ...................................................... 55 4.2.3 Seeking psychological therapy ................................................................. 55 4.2.4 Optimism .................................................................................................. 57 4.2.5 Religion .................................................................................................... 58 4.2.6 Regulation of emotions ............................................................................ 58 4.2.7 Conscious choices .................................................................................... 59 viii 4.2.8 Knowledge – awareness ........................................................................... 59 4.2.9 Forgiveness............................................................................................... 60 4.2.10 Gratitude ................................................................................................. 60 4.2.11 Connectedness ........................................................................................ 60 4.2.12 Getting back the control ......................................................................... 61 4.2.13 Making meaning of abuse ...................................................................... 61 4.2.14 Acceptance of abuse ............................................................................... 62 4.2.15 Secrecy ................................................................................................... 62 4.2.16 Helping others ........................................................................................ 62 4.2.17 Keeping busy .......................................................................................... 62 Chapter 5. Discussion ...............................................................................................
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