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Reunification Experiences After Sibling Incest University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) Dissertations School of Social Policy and Practice Spring 5-14-2012 Moving Families to Future Health: Reunification Experiences After Sibling Incest Bianca M. Harper University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations_sp2 Part of the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Harper, Bianca M., "Moving Families to Future Health: Reunification Experiences After Sibling Incest" (2012). Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) Dissertations. 26. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations_sp2/26 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations_sp2/26 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Moving Families to Future Health: Reunification Experiences After Sibling Incest Abstract MOVING FAMILIES TO FUTURE HEALTH: REUNIFICATION EXPERIENCES AFTER SIBLING INCEST Bianca M. Harper Lina Hartocollis, Ph.D Sibling incest is an under-reported, under-researched social problem that devastates affected families and challenges social workers and other professionals who work with them. There is little research on family experiences and changes in family dynamics after sibling incest and even less on the reunification experiences of families after sibling incest. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into families’ reunification experiences after sibling incest in order to promote continued healing and improve service delivery. A qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews was conducted with fourteen multidisciplinary professionals involved in family reunification after sibling incest. Grounded theory guided the analysis of interview data. Findings include themes of role of therapist, process of reunification, challenges of multidisciplinary team member collaboration, challenges of ensuring family safety, challenges of determining family readiness, clinical concerns, and lack of a road map. Findings suggest that the process of family reunification after sibling incest is complex and filled with many challenges for both the family and team members. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are also discussed. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Social Work (DSW) First Advisor Lina Hartocollis, Ph.D Second Advisor Richard J. Gelles, Ph.D Third Advisor Christine A. Courtois, Ph.D Keywords sibling incest, family reunification, child sexual abuse Subject Categories Social Work This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations_sp2/26 Moving Families to Future Health: Reunification Experiences After Sibling Incest Bianca M. Harper [email protected] MOVING FAMILIES TO FUTURE HEALTH: REUNIFICATION EXPERIENCES AFTER SIBLING INCEST Bianca M. Harper A DISSERTATION in Social Work Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Social Work 2012 ____________________________ Lina Hartocollis, Ph. D Supervisor of Dissertation Associate Dean and Director, Clinical Doctorate in Social Work Program _____________________________ Richard J. Gelles, Ph.D Dean, School of Social Policy & Practice Dissertation Committee Richard J. Gelles, Ph.D Christine Courtois, Ph.D Eliana Gil, Ph.D MOVING FAMILIES TO FUTURE HEALTH: REUNIFICATION EXPERIENCES AFTER SIBLING INCEST COPYRIGHT 2012 Bianca M. Harper iii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the families who allowed me to enter their world during a challenging and painful time. Your courage and resiliency inspires me. iv Acknowledgements There are many people who contributed to the completion of my dissertation and supported me on this exciting and challenging journey. I would like to thank my dissertation chair, Lina Hartocollis, Ph. D, for her support and commitment to my dissertation vision. Her continued encouragement and gentle prodding simultaneously challenged me and reassured me throughout the dissertation process and for that I am grateful. Richard J. Gelles, Ph.D, encouraged me to push myself as a researcher and to have the courage to stick my neck out in order to have my voice heard. His passion and expertise enhanced my critical thinking and I am thankful for his mentorship. I was honored to have Christine A. Courtois, Ph.D, on this journey with me. Her wealth of clinical knowledge, expert guidance, and empathy, contributed to my professional and personal growth. Eliana Gil, Ph.D, a pioneer in the field, was an invaluable asset. Her steadfast passion for sexually abused children and her commitment to educating others is inspiring. To my dissertation committee and SP2 faculty, thank you for believing in me and making me a better researcher, clinician, and human being. I am filled with gratitude for the families who have embarked on the road to reunification after sibling incest. Your willingness to share your experience with me is what brought my dissertation to fruition. I continue to be amazed and inspired by your capacity for emotional healing and hope for a better future. Thank you to the professionals who share in this difficult and emotional work and who volunteered to participate in my study. Your insight and clinical expertise brought many important issues to light that need to be examined in order to improve professional collaboration and service delivery. I learned so much from you. v Thank you to my family and friends who have always been in my corner, cheering me on. I am blessed to have you in my life. To my mom and dad who show nothing but love and devotion for their children. Your belief in me has helped me take chances and follow my dreams. I will always be grateful. To my support network of loved ones including: my brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends; thank you for always being there for me. And finally, I would like to thank Shawn, my best friend and partner in life. You are a wonderful man and your understanding, compassion, and love are unwavering. Thank you for being by my side every step of the way. vi Abstract MOVING FAMILIES TO FUTURE HEALTH: REUNIFICATION EXPERIENCES AFTER SIBLING INCEST Bianca M. Harper Lina Hartocollis, Ph.D Sibling incest is an under-reported, under-researched social problem that devastates affected families and challenges social workers and other professionals who work with them. There is little research on family experiences and changes in family dynamics after sibling incest and even less on the reunification experiences of families after sibling incest. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into families’ reunification experiences after sibling incest in order to promote continued healing and improve service delivery. A qualitative study, using semi- structured interviews was conducted with fourteen multidisciplinary professionals involved in family reunification after sibling incest. Grounded theory guided the analysis of interview data. Findings include themes of role of therapist, process of reunification, challenges of multidisciplinary team member collaboration, challenges of ensuring family safety, challenges of determining family readiness, clinical concerns, and lack of a road map. Findings suggest that the process of family reunification after sibling incest is complex and filled with many challenges for both the family and team members. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are also discussed. vii Table of Contents Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv Abstract ............................................................................................................................................v Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTERS I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem and Purpose of the Study ....................................................................1 Sexual Abuse of Children ............................................................................................................2 Sibling Incest ................................................................................................................................4 Contributing Factors to Sibling Incest .........................................................................................7 Juvenile Sex Offenders .................................................................................................................8 Family Systems Theory ..............................................................................................................10 Trauma Theory ...........................................................................................................................11 Psychological Impact of Intrafamilial Sexual Abuse .................................................................11 Traumagenic Dynamics ..............................................................................................................12 Dissociation and Denial .............................................................................................................14
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