Coping Strategies and Psychological Resilience of Parents With Children Victimized of Sexual Abuse: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the coping strategies and psychological resilience of parents of children who are victims of sexual abuse. Methods: The study's sample was compiled from parents of sexually abused children admitted to the Child Advocacy Centre for forensic interviews in a Northern Turkish province ( N = 75). Data were collected from May to September 2022. A cross-sectional design was used to assess psychological resilience and coping skills. The Introductory Information Questionnaire, the Strategies for Coping with Family Stressors Scale, and the Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults were administered verbally during individual interviews. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Results: According to the results, the psychological resilience and coping skills of parents played a significant role, particularly concerning touch-based abuse, a single occurrence of abuse, and the absence of family violence. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between coping skills with stressors and psychological resilience ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, empowering parents of children exposed to abuse proves crucial for reducing the traumatic impact on the victimized child. Further research, identifying risk factors for both the child and the family, and strategizing follow-up, educational, and counseling initiatives can enhance the provision of holistic health services in this context. Implications to practice: This study emphasizes the need to restructure issues of not only trauma in children who are victims of sexual abuse but also coping skills and psychological resilience in parents within nursing approaches aimed at children who are victims of sexual abuse. (c) 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.