Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Steven Linnville

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a global problem and can lead to substantial challenges in adult intimate relationships. Though there is considerable research on CSA, relationships, and relationship challenges, one area that required further study was how shame was felt by women who have experienced CSA. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore these shame experiences in adult intimate relationships in women who had this history. Strength resilience theory was used as the framework for exploring their shame and resilience experiences. Open-ended, semistructured interviews were conducted with eight women aged 18 to 50 who were in intimate relationships. Results showed all participants described feelings of fear, shame, guilt, and avoidance, which aligns with prior research. Unlike previous studies, the participants did not identify anger as their current experience in their childhood abuse history, and they found safety in their partner to disclose their insecurities and vulnerabilities in their intimacy. Moreover, participants’ discussions with their partner about the abuse made it easier for them to rationalize and normalize (i.e., that the abuse was not their fault and they could openly discuss their CSA experiences), and they felt stronger than they realized. These findings may help create a new avenue for positive social change by recognizing the importance of partner support to help women who have a CSA history. The results of this study can serve as an encouragement to make shame a more openly-discussed emotion in the world of CSA.

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