"I don't fit into any category": Adult perspectives on the dynamics of past sexual acts between siblings in Jewish Orthodox society.
Child sexual abuse (CSA)
Cultural contexts
Sibling relations
Sibling sexual abuse (SSA)
Treatment/intervention
Journal
Acta psychologica
ISSN: 1873-6297
Titre abrégé: Acta Psychol (Amst)
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 0370366
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Aug 2022
Aug 2022
Historique:
received:
23
05
2021
revised:
29
03
2022
accepted:
10
06
2022
pubmed:
1
7
2022
medline:
20
7
2022
entrez:
30
6
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
'Harmful sexual sibling behavior' is a term used in this study to refer to childhood sexual behaviors, including abuse (SSA), that are inconsistent with the category of age-appropriate curiosity. Although SSA may be the most prevalent and longest-lasting form of intrafamilial sexual abuse, it is the least reported, studied, and treated. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the sexual characteristics and dynamics of such behavior, as perceived by those involved. Twenty adults from the Orthodox community in Israel, who experienced sexual interactions with one or more of their siblings, were recruited as participants. This qualitative, constructivist, grounded-theory study was based on semi-structured interviews with 20 adults. Four types of sexual dynamics were revealed: an "abusive dynamic," "mutual relations," "sexual routine," and "incidental," with the latter stemming from a new understanding that deepens our knowledge of the subject. The participants discussed the broad, long-term consequences and life-long psychological implications of each dynamic and the coexistence of these dynamics. The results also reveal two cultural dimensions of the participants' perception of the sexual acts: "lack of sexual knowledge" and "the perception that all religious prohibitions are of equal severity." The findings highlight the importance of adapting interventions to the siblings' perceptions and avoiding treatment that exacerbates their complex situation. We employ the concepts of dynamics and dimension in describing the phenomenon rather than continuum. The study also highlights the importance of understanding relevant religious-cultural factors.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
'Harmful sexual sibling behavior' is a term used in this study to refer to childhood sexual behaviors, including abuse (SSA), that are inconsistent with the category of age-appropriate curiosity. Although SSA may be the most prevalent and longest-lasting form of intrafamilial sexual abuse, it is the least reported, studied, and treated.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to deepen our understanding of the sexual characteristics and dynamics of such behavior, as perceived by those involved.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
METHODS
Twenty adults from the Orthodox community in Israel, who experienced sexual interactions with one or more of their siblings, were recruited as participants.
METHODS
METHODS
This qualitative, constructivist, grounded-theory study was based on semi-structured interviews with 20 adults.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Four types of sexual dynamics were revealed: an "abusive dynamic," "mutual relations," "sexual routine," and "incidental," with the latter stemming from a new understanding that deepens our knowledge of the subject. The participants discussed the broad, long-term consequences and life-long psychological implications of each dynamic and the coexistence of these dynamics. The results also reveal two cultural dimensions of the participants' perception of the sexual acts: "lack of sexual knowledge" and "the perception that all religious prohibitions are of equal severity."
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight the importance of adapting interventions to the siblings' perceptions and avoiding treatment that exacerbates their complex situation. We employ the concepts of dynamics and dimension in describing the phenomenon rather than continuum. The study also highlights the importance of understanding relevant religious-cultural factors.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35772310
pii: S0001-6918(22)00160-3
doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103645
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
103645Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.