Stress Management for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Holistic Inquiry

Among the many sequelae of childhood sexual abuse is a maladaptive response to stress. Stress has been linked to a reduction in the immune system’s ability to resist disease. The purpose of this exploratory mixed-method study is to examine the experience of stress management training for 35 adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Data gathered for analysis include pre- and postintervention saliva samples for sIgA, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, and a postintervention qualitative interview. Stress management strategies enhance immunity (increase in salivary immunoglobulin A, p <.05) and coping (less distancing, p <.001; less escape-avoidance, p <.001; more planful problem solving, p <.01; and more positive reappraisal, p <.001). Grounded theory analysis finds three themes emerging: hypervigilance, an outward-focused hyperawareness; somatic detachment, a lack of inward focus on self; and healing pathway, the process of healing from the abuse. Healing is possible. Keywords stress management, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, immunity, coping, mixed methods, grounded theory Childhood sexual abuse is a preventable, costly, disruptive, and destructive phenomenon. The trauma influences biology, mental health, copin