Healing of adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

OBJECTIVE

To generate a framework of healing by male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

DESIGN

Qualitative using grounded theory methodology. POPULATION, SAMPLE, SETTING, YEARS: Population was American men living in the community who have experienced some healing from childhood sexual abuse. Sample was 19 men who were recommended by area therapists or who had publicly identified themselves as survivors. Participants were interviewed in 1993 and 1994.

METHOD

Formal, unstructured interviews using open-ended questions.

FINDINGS

The core variable that emerged was "Escaping the dungeon: The journey to freedom." The metaphor of "dungeon" reflects the men's experiences of powerlessness, isolation, silence and darkness, shame, and pain from their abuse. Healing was described as breaking free, living free, and freeing those left behind.

CONCLUSIONS

Healing involves a struggle against an internal force, emotional pain, and against an external force, the sociocultural prescription that men should not be victims.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians working with adult male survivors should consider the pervasive effects of some childhood sexual abuse experiences. Therapists can address the intrapsychic wounds of male survivors while acknowledging the context of their healing, a society where the victimization of men is often invalidated.