Psychologists' Attitudes Toward Adult Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

• Published in: Journal of child sexual abuse Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 43 - 61
• Main Authors: Richey-Suttles, Stephen, Remer, Rory
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Binghamton Taylor & Francis Group 1997; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adults; Attitude Measures; Attitudes; Blame; Child Abuse; Child abuse & neglect; Childhood sexual abuse; Client Characteristics (Human Services); Counselor Attitudes; Counselor Client Relationship; Educational Attainment; Feedback (Response); Females; Males; Men; Mental Health; Predictor Variables; Psychologists; Rape; Resistance (Psychology); Sex Bias; Sex crimes; Sexual Abuse; Sexual Abuse Survivors; Social Attitudes; Socialization; Undergraduate Students; Worksheets
• ISSN: 1053-8712; 1547-0679
• DOI: 10.1300/J070v06n02_03

Psychologists' attitudes toward adult male sexual abuse survivors were explored. Psychologists (n = 154) read vignettes describing the sexual abuse of a male victim, then completed the Male Role Norm Scale, the Jackson Incest Blame Scale, a vignette response sheet, and a personal data sheet. Stepwise regression was used to analyze the data. Variables included characteristics of the psychologists, the perpetrator, and the victim. The psychologists' attitudes toward men, rather than the sex of the psychologists, predicted blaming attitudes. Victim responses, sexual abuse treatment experience, and the severity of abuse were also predictors. Practical suggestions for treatment are noted.