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This dissertation examines female sexual abuse survivors’ experience participating in a Christian-based sexual abuse church support group. Although sexual abuse support groups have gained more attention in society, there is still not a large number of religious/spiritual support groups in communities, particularly those that assist survivors of sexual abuse. There was insufficient information in the literature to determine how religious support groups may aid sexual abuse survivors. The principle question guiding this research study was as follows: How do female sexual abuse survivors describe their experience of participating in a Christian-based sexual abuse church support group? Ten female sexual abuse survivors ages 20 to 69 years old who experienced sexual abuse during childhood, or both childhood and adulthood, participated in this study. The study utilized a generic qualitative inquiry approach to understanding the participants’ experiences of participating in a Christian-based sexual abuse church support group by digitally recording semi-structured, one-on-one, 60 to 90-minute interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify several themes that were healing to the participants. The themes that emerged were community and belongingness, religious/spiritual coping, feeling hope, self-awareness, feeling peace inside, and the sharing of stories.
Advisor: | Smith, Kenneth Scott |
Commitee: | Rye, Carrie, de la Paz, Michelle M. |
School: | Capella University |
Department: | School of Counseling and Human Services |
School Location: | United States -- Minnesota |
Source: | DAI-A 82/2(E), Dissertation Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Counseling Psychology, Behavioral psychology, Social studies education |
Keywords: | Christian-based support groups, Church-based sexual abuse support Groups, Sexual abuse support groups, Sexual abuse survivors, Spiritually based sexual abuse groups, Spiritually based support groups |
Publication Number: | 28086679 |
ISBN: | 9798662590922 |