Mental health nurses' perceived preparedness to work with adults who have child sexual abuse histories

Understanding the Narratives of Child Sexual Abuse

This qualitative study consisted of in-depth, retrospective interviews with participants over the age of 18 who experienced child sexual abuse. Through narrative analysis, study findings shed light on three overall findings: the perception of memories, the perception of grooming, and the perception of the lived lives of child sexual abuse survivors. Findings suggest that the narratives elicited from the participants included current views but also past experiences and anticipation about the future, including individual and societal levels of meaning. These narratives are furthermore entangled and inexorably linked - temporally, culturally, generationally, materially, and emotionally - and the results are thus presented from a holistic perspective. Study findings help explain the complex dimensions concerning the lived experiences of child sexual abuse. As such, this research speaks to the field of social and health care practitioners working with children and families facing the complex phenomenon of child sexual abuse.

Mental health challenges facing male survivors of child sexual abuse: Implications for mental health nurses

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is an issue of epidemic proportions in the United Kingdom (UK) and an international public health problem. Evidence suggests that in the UK one in 20 children have been sexually abused, with one in three not telling anyone about it at the time of the abuse. Conservative estimates suggest that around one in six men have experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18. CSA has been correlated with the development of numerous mental health problems, abused men often displaying externalizing behaviours, including substance misuse, 'risky' sexual behaviours, anti-social behaviour, and offending. This article reports on one aspect of a research study focusing specifically on male survivors of CSA and its effect on their mental health. Using narrative research, face-to-face interviews were used to collect the stories of four men who participated in the research. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis used a two-phase approach; initially, each narrative was analysed as a whole, with an across transcripts analysis then being carried out identifying shared themes emerging from the individual stories. Whilst findings from the second phase of the analysis identify four themes, it is the theme of 'Blocking the Memories' that is the focus for this article. Making a valuable contribution to existent knowledge regarding the experiences of men who were sexually abused as children, this article will help to inform mental health practitioners who are likely to deliver care to male survivors of CSA.

"Unless they bring it up, I won't go digging": Psychiatric nurses' experiences of developing therapeutic relationships with adult survivors of child sexual abuse

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to explore psychiatric nurses' experiences of developing therapeutic relationships with adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA).

DESIGN AND METHODS

A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six registered psychiatric nurses. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

Although participants were able to develop therapeutic relationships with survivors and cited the importance of interpersonal skills, they felt uncomfortable discussing CSA.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Given the importance of developing trusting relationships, more support needs to be provided for nurses so they can build stronger alliances with survivors of CSA.

Service User and Carer Views and Expectations of Mental Health Nurses: A Systematic Review

Service users' views and expectations of mental health nurses in a UK context were previously reviewed in 2008. The aim of this systematic review is to extend previous research by reviewing international research and work published after the original review. Five databases were searched for studies of any design, published since 2008, that addressed service user and carer views and expectations of mental health nurses. Two reviewers independently completed title and abstract, full-text screening and data extraction. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. We included 49 studies. Most included studies (n = 39, 80%) were qualitative. The importance of the therapeutic relationship and service users being supported in their personal recovery by mental health nurses were core themes identified across included studies. Service users frequently expressed concern about the quality of the therapeutic relationship and indicated that nurses lacked time to spend with them. Carers reported that their concerns were not taken seriously and were often excluded from the care of their relatives. Our critical appraisal identified important sources of bias in included studies. The findings of our review are broadly consistent with previous reviews however the importance of adopting a recovery approach has emerged as a new focus.