Date
12-19-2023
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Keena Cowsert
Keywords
Childhood Sexual Abuse, Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Unresolved Childhood Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse, African American Childhood Sexual Abuse
Disciplines
Counseling | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Gianna LaTrice, "A Phenomenological Study of the Effects of Unresolved Sexual Trauma on Intimacy in African American Women Relationships" (2023). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5101.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5101
Abstract
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has multifaceted effects on survivors. The psychological distress stemming from CSA often leads to the development of abnormal cognitions and behaviors that persist throughout a survivor's lifetime. While substantial research has focused on the long-term consequences for women who have experienced childhood sexual assault, there is still a need to explore the experiences of African American (AA) women who have encountered CSA and how it shapes their ability to engage in intimate sexual relationships. This phenomenological study aims to investigate the lived experiences of AA women who have endured CSA, with a particular focus on the impact on their capacity for intimate relationships, trust, and communication within those relationships. By examining the personal stories of these survivors, this research endeavors to enhance our comprehension of the unique relational behaviors associated with childhood sexual assault.
