NCJ Number
169117
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (1997) Pages: 43-61
Date Published
1997
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study explored psychologists' attitudes toward adult male sexual abuse survivors.
Abstract
Four hundred Southeastern Psychological Association psychologists were cluster-sampled by choosing every seventh name from the public membership list after randomly identifying the initial selectee. The final sample consisted of 154 (82 female, 72 male) usable returns. Of the female psychologists, 15 percent (n=12) reported being sexually abused as a child, 12 percent reported being physically abused as a child, and 12 percent reported being sexually assaulted as an adult. Of the male psychologists, 6 percent reported being sexually abused as a child, 7 percent reported being physically abused as a child, and one reported being sexually assaulted as an adult. The subjects read vignettes that described the sexual abuse of a male victim, and then they completed the Male Role Norm Scale, the Jackson Incest Blame Scale, a vignette response sheet, and a personal data sheet. Stepwise regression was used to analyze the data. Variables included characteristics of the psychologists, the perpetrator, and the victim. The psychologists' attitudes toward men, rather than the sex of the psychologists, predicted blaming attitudes. Victim responses, sexual abuse treatment experience, and the severity of abuse were also predictors. Practical suggestions for treatment are offered. 3 tables and 39 references