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Roberts, C, Montgomery, E, Richens, Y and Silverio, SA (2021) (Re)activation of survival strategies during pregnancy and childbirth following experiences of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology. ISSN 0264-6838
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Roberts, Montgomery, Richens, & Silverio (2021) - (Re)activation of Survival Strategies - Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (289kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the pregnancy and childbearing experiences of women-survivors of childhood sexual abuse [CSA]. We aimed to generate a theory explaining those experiences for this population (women), this phenomenon (pregnancy and childbirth), and this context (those who have survived CSA). Method: Participants (N=6) were recruited to semi-structured interviews about their experiences of CSA and subsequent pregnancy and childbirth. Data saturated early, and were analysed using Grounded Theory (appropriate to cross-disciplinary health research). Coding was inductive and iterative, to ensure rigour and achieve thematic saturation. Results: Open and focused coding led to the generation of super-categories, which in-turn were collapsed into three distinct, but related themes. These themes were: Chronicity of Childhood (Sexual) Abuse; Pregnancy and Childbirth as Paradoxically (Un)safe Experiences; Enduring Nature of Survival Strategies. The relationship between these themes was explained as the theory of: (Re)activation of Survival Strategies during Pregnancy and Childbirth following Experiences of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Conclusion: Pregnancy and childbirth can be triggering for women-survivors of CSA. Survival strategies learnt during experiences of CSA can be (re)activated as a way of not only coping, but surviving (the sometimes unconsented) procedures, such as monitoring and physical examinations, as well as the feelings of lack of control and bodily agency.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Childhood sexual abuse; birth trauma; bodily agency; childbirth; maternity care; women’s mental health; 1701 Psychology; Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine |
| Divisions: | Psychology (from Sep 2019) |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
| SWORD Depositor: | A Symplectic |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Dec 2022 16:17 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Dec 2022 16:17 |
| DOI or ID number: | 10.1080/02646838.2021.1976401 |
| URI: | https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18284 |
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