EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

The aim of current study was qualitative exploration of psychological problems of sexual abuse faced by Pakistani children residing in Hazara division Khyber PakhtunKhwa. Using Thematic analysis different psychological problems of child contact sexual abuse were investigated, seeking to understand the psychological problems of contact abuse experienced by children and how they thought, felt, and reacted in response to it. Keeping in view the “avoiding harm” ethical issues of American Psychological Association, the sexually abused children themselves were not included in interviews and the purposive sample of ten parents of sexually abused children were taken. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The main themes and sub themes were developed from data obtained. Six themes that emerged from obtained data were emotional change in behavior, disturbed eating pattern, sleep disturbance, disturbed social relationships, negative behavioral tendencies and other related information. The findings of study revealed that the children of contact sexual abuse experienced severe psychological problems such as depressive thoughts, aggression, symptoms of eating disturbance, sleep pathologies, and fear of building new social relationships. Suicidal ideations, smoking tendencies and compulsive behaviors were also reported by parents. The victims of contact sexual abuse also experienced aggression for perpetrator, feelings of powerlessness and showed over protection for younger siblings. This led to adverse effects on their mental and physical health, sense of self, social relationships and psychological well-being.