Childhood Physical Abuse

Early Stage Therapeutic Relationship & Childhood Physical Abuse

Abstract

There is a large body of research on the negative effects of childhood abuse with rather limited research on the actual effectiveness of the various therapies used to treat victims of childhood sexual abuse. While delving into the multiple aspects of childhood sexual abuse and corresponding therapies the researcher has ascertained that play therapy and group play therapy are highly effective and appropriate tools in helping victims cope with childhood sexual abuse.

Table of Content

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Overview1

Purpose of Study6

Aims and Objective7

Scope of Study8

Significance of Study8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW10

Overview10

Psychological Effects of Physical Abuse14

Effect of Abuse on Behaviour20

Summary of Consequences of Childhood Physical Abuse21

Development of the Play Therapy Observational Instrument22

Effective Play and Art Therapy24

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY31

Research Design31

Interviews32

Professional Issues33

Questionnaires33

Interviews33

Ethical Issues33

Informed Consent34

Trust34

Confidentiality & Anonymity34

Risks of research35

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS36

Analysis36

Appropriate Versus Inappropriate Touch38

Telling Each Other What Happened38

Shared Feelings39

Family Role Playing40

Puppets43

Art Therapy45

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION48

Discussion48

Conclusion50

Future Research51

REFERENCES53

BIBLIOGRAPHY65

APPENDIX68

Interviews - workers in the field68

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Overview Physical abuse is defined as acts of physical assault and physical exploitation of minors. It includes a broad range of behaviours that may consist of a single act or repeated acts over time. Generally the abuse is perpetrated by someone known to the child and often does not involve violence. Physical abuse specifically includes, incest, rape, intercourse, oral, genital contact, fondling, physical propositions or enticement, indecent exposure, child pornography, or child prostitution(Cicchinelli 1986, pp 23-27).

Most physical abusers are more interested in asserting their control and power over the victim, than they are interested in the actual act of sex. The perpetrator is usually male who has the ability to control the child. It is for a variety of reasons that physical abuse children rarely report physical abuse. The overwhelming amounts of shame often felt by the child will prevent them from coming forth especially when the act has been perpetrated by a close family friend or relative. Physical abuse children may also feel that they are somehow responsible for what has happened so they are fearful of the consequences of reporting the incident. Although many physical abuse children do report physical abuse, there are still many cases of sexually abused physical abuse children that go unnoticed. It rests on the professionals including school personnel but more specifically the therapist to recognize the signs and symptoms of physical abuse.

According to Erickson (1963, 168-169), trust is the first psychological need that is developed during those first few years of life and is needed for later competence. When a family member or relative violates that trust, physical abuse children begin to doubt themselves and mistrust others. Important factors in physical abuse of physical abuse children are the power dynamics of these situations, and a violation of trust between the child and the parent or friend of the family. Physical abuse is more than simple aggression or injury committed by a family member or a friend of the family against another. It is a situation in which a more powerful person takes advantage of a less ...