Stress,Coping and Adjustment in Victims of Sexual Assault: The role of psychological defense mechanisms |
| |
Authors: | Colleen Ward |
| |
Institution: | 1. National University of Singapore;2. Department of Psychology , University of Canterbury , Christchurch , New Zealand |
| |
Abstract: | The paper considers sexual abuse within a stress and coping framework with particular emphasis on victim-initiated psychological defense mechanisms in the recovery process. Analysis of case history data from 40 adolescent victims of sexual abuse indicated that 90% used psychological defense mechanisms, particularly repression, emotional insulation and rationalisation. The paper explores the usefulness of such mechanisms from a theoretical and applied perspective and compares these Singaporean findings with earlier research conducted in the United States. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|