Coping behaviour, posttraumatic growth and psychological well-being in women with childhood sexual abuse

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.