Exploring trauma-related beliefs in the recovery and psychological health among female survivors of sexual violence in Johannesburg

Abstract

Background: Exposure to traumatic events is a common occurrence, particularly in a society such as South Africa where violence is so prevalent. Aim of the study: The intention of this study is to provide an understanding of how survivorsof traumatic sexual violence make sense of their experiences over time, and the potential impact the traumatic assault may have had on them. Methodology: Situated within a phenomenological framework, the research process included semi-structured interviews with a sample of eight South African adult woman survivors of sexual violence who were recruited from the organisation, People Opposing Woman Abuse, at the Nthabiseng Centre in Soweto. The reported ethnicity across the sample was largely black African from low to middle socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants were interviewed to gather more information on their past sexual violence experience/s, current trauma-related beliefs about the world, others and themselves, as well as coping mechanisms and current levels of functioning. Results: Data analysis was conducted through thematic analysis which allowed several themes to emerge. Themes included: Powerlessness; Loss and Betrayal; Stigmatisation, Self-Blame and Low Self-Esteem; and Sexual Aversion. Moreover, themes of Interpersonal Effects and Coping Mechanisms were also significant among the findings. From the themes that emerged, it can be concluded that the exposure to traumatic sexual violence resulted in the development of trauma-related beliefs as mentioned in Finkelhor & Browne’s model. However, it appeared that in some instances these factors manifested slightly differently in this group of South African survivors. Consequently, participants presented with an excess of maladaptive coping mechanisms. Recommendations: Future research is needed with larger and more diverse samples in South Africa.