Experiences of Motherhood That Contribute to the Recovery Processes of Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

• Author / Creator

  LoVerso, Tatiana

• The experiences of motherhood and recovery among six female survivors of child sexual abuse were explored with the purpose of furthering our understanding of how motherhood can promote and contribute to sexual assault recovery processes. It has been well-established that child sexual abuse can have lasting effects that continue to impact survivors well into adulthood. Understanding experiences that further recovery can help to facilitate recovery processes among those who are still struggling.
  
  A qualitative research methodology, basic interpretive inquiry, was used to complete an in-depth exploration. The results summarize the participants’ stories of recovery, as well as outline the themes that were constructed from the data analysis. The themes outline that motherhood was beneficial as it: (1) exposed unhealed wounds from childhood abuse experiences making evident what was left to heal, (2) fostered empowerment to face recovery and work to better their lives, (3) provided opportunities for developmental repair from damaging childhood experiences and perceptions, and (4) increased a sense of personal value. One negative case is presented; her experiences were analyzed in contrast with the other participants to represent an alternative experience of motherhood and recovery. The study concludes with an examination of the results in light of the current research literature and implications and recommendations for future research and clinical practice are made.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Sexual Abuse
  • Motherhood
  • Recovery
  • Healing
  • Childhood Trauma
  • Qualitative Methods

• Graduation date

  Spring 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3697G

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.