Psychological resilience among sexually-molested girls in the late middle-childhood period : case studies

Abstract

Sexual child molestation is undoubtedly a traumatic experience. Children, within the context of a wide variety of factors, try to handle such pathological sexual interactions in a variety of ways and using a variety of resources. Behavioral, emotional and even psychiatric disorders may manifest in some children, while others might present without any symptoms. Children who are described as psychologically resilient are able to overcome a negative self-concept, identity confusion, depression, behavioral disorders and personality and sexual disorders which are characteristic long-term effects of sexual child molestation. This study focuses on the extent of adjustment and psychological resilience of seven girls following the trauma of sexual molestation. There is emphasis on the different protective factors that could play a role in this adjustment, and therefore could make a contribution to the development of psychological resilience.