‘I am a victim without symptoms’: Perceived attributes of resilience for female survivors of child sexual abuse in rural Uganda

Abstract

Child sexual abuse has been associated with various health and social consequences. Despite the traumatic effects of the abuse, previous studies have revealed that some victims adapt, recover and become resilient. However, literature has emphasised the need for exploring resilience in the context within which it develops. This study therefore set out to explore perceptions of resilience in adult female survivors of child sexual abuse. A case study design utilizing qualitative research methods was adopted. Narrative inquiry was used to collect data from 14 purposively selected survivors of child sexual abuse. Six in-depth interviews were also held with purposively selected service providers. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed and analysed using themes and quotes. Some participants associated resilience with improved ability to avoid thoughts about the abuse, positive emotional adjustment, increased ability to talk about one’s experience of sexual abuse and feeling hopeful for the future. Survivors shared similarities in personal meanings of the consequences and attributes of resilience which were mainly psychological. They majorly associated resilience with internal attributes including positive emotions. The negative consequences of the abuse force survivors to adopt strategies that enable them to be resilient.

Current and previous volumes are available at: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net

HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE
Turyomurugyendo F., Walakira E. J., Revheim C. and Twikirize M. J. (2025). ‘I am a victim without symptoms’: Perceived attributes of resilience for female survivors of child sexual abuse in rural Uganda. African Journal of Social Work, 15(2), 11-22. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v15i1.2