Processes that aid coping with childhood sexual abuse: a case study

Abstract

Sexual abuse during childhood is one of the most perverse forms of mistreatment children and adolescents can suffer – whose expectation of healthy life is seriously threatened by the consequences of these experiences. The objective of this study was to identify processes that help women who were sexually abused during childhood to lessen or avoid the negative effects of those events in their adult lives. It consists of a case study developed between May/2005 and April/2006, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with two women who had suffered sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence, practiced by family members. The results indicate their biopsychological characteristics, social support networks and their capacity to move on as the pillars for the most significant processes in the construction of a positive life path, in spite of the past adversity. The implications of these results for the professional practice and its importance in terms of promotion of health and human development are also discussed.