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Personal constructs, childhood sexual abuse and revictimization
Author(s) -
Freshwater Kate,
Leach Chris,
Aldridge Jan
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1348/000711201161055
Subject(s) - psychology , clinical psychology , sexual abuse , repertory grid , poison control , suicide prevention , distress , personal construct theory , injury prevention , child abuse , victimology , human factors and ergonomics , psychiatry , developmental psychology , medicine , social psychology , medical emergency
Within the theoretical framework of Ryle's Procedural Sequence Object Relations Model and Kelly's Personal Construct Theory, this study investigates sex‐role polarization of incest survivors and the centrality of abuse within survivors' constructs of men that may contribute to revictimization. Repertory grid methodology was used with 40 female survivors of childhood sexual abuse and 28 non‐abused women. Grid measures and psychometric measures were compared between groups of women who had and had not experienced childhood sexual abuse, revictimized and non‐revictimized survivors, and survivors who had and had not experienced incestuous abuse. Results showed significant differences between survivors and non‐abused women, with survivors having higher levels of depression and perceived distress, lower self‐esteem and higher self/ideal self discrepancy. Hypothesized differences in sex‐role polarization were not found. There were few differences between revictimized and non‐revictimized survivors, although revictimized survivors rated ‘self now’ as more powerful than non‐revictimized survivors. No differences were found between survivors who had and had not experienced incestuous abuse. In addition to the value of exploring personal constructs, a range of models need to be considered in understanding revictimization and women's construal of men. The implications of using repertory grid methodology for research and clinical work are discussed.