Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Draw and Describe Their Experiences of Dissociation

Rachel Lev-Wiesel, Limor Goldner, Roni Malishkevich Haas, Ariel Hait, Neta Frid Gangersky, Lee Lahav, Susan Weinger, Bussakorn Binson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The paper examined how dissociation is experienced and manifested in the drawings and narratives of female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. Fifteen Israeli women filled out a self-report questionnaire consisting of demographics, traumatic events, and dissociation severity. Then, they were asked to draw a dissociation experience and provide a narrative. The results indicated that experiencing CSA was highly correlated with indicators such as the level of fragmentation, the figurative style, as well as with the narrative. Two main themes emerged: a constant movement between internal and external worlds, and distorted perceptions of time and space.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages19
JournalViolence Against Women
Early online date16 Feb 2023
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.

Keywords

  • childhood trauma
  • dissociation
  • drawings
  • narratives
  • sexual abuse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Law

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