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The psychological impact of sexual abuse: Content analysis of interviews with male survivors
Author(s) -
Lisak David
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.2490070403
Subject(s) - shame , psychology , anger , humiliation , sexual abuse , betrayal , jealousy , masculinity , denial , abusive relationship , blame , poison control , human sexuality , suicide prevention , clinical psychology , domestic violence , social psychology , psychotherapist , psychoanalysis , medicine , gender studies , environmental health , sociology
Autobiographical interviews with 26 adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and content analyzed to identify common psychological themes. Approximately equal numbers of men were abused by male and female perpetrators, almost half came from disrupted or violent homes and a majority had a history of substance abuse. Fifteen psychological themes were identified: Anger, Betrayal, Fear, Homosexuality Issues, Helplessness, Isolation and Alienation, Legitimacy, Loss, Masculinity Issues, Negative Childhood Peer Relations, Negative Schemas about People, Negative Schemas about the Self, Problems with Sexuality, Self Blame/Guilt and Shame/Humiliation. The themes are discussed and illustrated with examples drawn from the transcripts.