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Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers

Includes bibliographical references.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Leon, Natalie H
Other Authors: Levett, Ann
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Department of Psychology 2015
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access_status_str Open Access
author Leon, Natalie H
author2 Levett, Ann
author_browse Leon, Natalie H
Levett, Ann
author_facet Levett, Ann
Leon, Natalie H
author_sort Leon, Natalie H
collection Thesis
description Includes bibliographical references.
format Thesis
id oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13483
institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:48:42.585Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2015
publishDateRange 2015
publishDateSort 2015
publisher Department of Psychology
publisherStr Department of Psychology
record_format dspace
source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13483 Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers Leon, Natalie H Levett, Ann Clinical Psychology Includes bibliographical references. This explorative, qualitative study examines the perceptions of mental health workers about self-help groups with adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Given limited formal mental health services in South Africa, self-help represents one informal alternative which could supplement mental health service provision. The study thus arises from a perspective which values self-help groups and is informed by the urgency of community needs in this area, and takes seriously the idea that it is possible and desirable for mental health care workers to facilitate and foster community support systems. Twenty-two indepth interviews were conducted with a sample of convenience which included eleven clinical psychologists, five psychiatrists, three social workers and three non-professionals and included interviewees from organizations currently engaged in issues relating to child sexual abuse. A semi-structured interview schedule was used and interviews were audio-taped. Interview responses were systematically analysed and common themes extracted around awareness of self-help, perceived benefits and problems of survivor self-help groups and the role of professionals. Main themes have been illustrated by verbatim transcriptions from audiotaped material. Most participants have had limited exposure to self-help groups. Whilst there was openness towards self-help with survivors, caution was expressed about dangers to clients in survivor groups which are not monitored by formally trained and accredited professionals. Selfhelp was considered useful mainly as an adjunct to formal services. Limited knowledge of self-help groups is a major determining factor informing professional perceptions. Recommendations for education of professionals are made in order to promote self-help groups and collaborative professional attitudes. 2015-07-14T08:56:33Z 2015-07-14T08:56:33Z 1993 Master Thesis Masters MA http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13483 eng application/pdf Department of Psychology Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town
spellingShingle Clinical Psychology
Leon, Natalie H
Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
thesis_degree_str Master's
title Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
title_full Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
title_fullStr Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
title_short Perceptions of self-help groups for child sexual abuse survivors : an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
title_sort perceptions of self help groups for child sexual abuse survivors an exploratory study amongst mental health workers
topic Clinical Psychology
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13483
work_keys_str_mv AT leonnatalieh perceptionsofselfhelpgroupsforchildsexualabusesurvivorsanexploratorystudyamongstmentalhealthworkers