Child Sexual Abuse Myth Acceptance Among Aspirant, Trainee, and Registered Psychologists in Durban, South Africa

Abstract

This study examined the effect of gender and professional training on child sexual abuse myth acceptance among aspirant, trainee, and registered psychologists in Durban, South Africa. Using a 2 (gender: male, female) x 3 (training: aspirant psychologists, psychologists in training, practicing psychologists) design, 90 participants completed the 15-item Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Myth Scale. AMANOVA revealed a significant main effect for gender, with males scoring significantly higher than females did on all three subscales of the CSA Myth Scale. Myth acceptance scores were, however, unrelated to the extent of professional training, with the notable exception of scores on the Denial of Abusiveness subscale, where aspirant psychologists scored significantly higher than psychologists in training. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for practice and for social policy. ) that a counselor's beliefs and attitudes have considerable consequence for the quality, the psychological climate, and the effectiveness of a therapeutic relationship. In particular, Conner has argued that a counselor's beliefs and attitudes comprise the core conditions of genuineness, warmth, and empathy that are necessary for effective helping relations. With specific reference to child sexual abuse, Draucker (1992) has pointed to the need for counselors to critically examine their beliefs and attitudes to ensure

Hear No Evil, See No Evil? Associations of Gender, Trauma History, and Values with Believing Trauma Vignettes

“…These myths exist in the psychological literature, the media, and in courtrooms (Cromer & Goldsmith; Hamilton, 2008). These beliefs are held by psychologists and lay people (Collings, 2003) as well as by judges (Hamilton, 2008). Like rape myths, CSAMs are supported by sensationalized cases that garner media attention.…”

“…The veracity of CSA reports made by women and children is also challenged when they are believed to be manufactured out of malice or for personal gain (Brown, Frederico, Hewitt, & Sheehan, 2001). Skepticism impacts juries and judicial decisions in criminal and civil cases (Hamilton, 2008) as well as professionals who provide victim services (Collings, 2003). The present study focuses on reactions to adults' delayed disclosures of CSA, which has implications for many civil court proceedings, such as accusations of clergy abuse made decades after the alleged abuse occurred.…”

Culture and Nondisclosure of Child Sexual Abuse in Ghana: A Theoretical and Empirical Exploration

“…Formal and informal dialogue about cultural factors and their possible implications for nondisclosure of child sexual abuse are urgently required in Ghana. The majority of these misconceptions or false beliefs likely to encourage nondisclosure could be addressed now and in the future through constructive engagement at the individual, communal, and institutional levels (see Collings 2003).…”

“…Culture remains a crucial site for the construction and perpetuation of these misconceptions or false beliefs. A number of false beliefs about sexual abuse have been observed in many cultures (Meursing et al 1995; Pappoe and Ardayfio‐Schandorf 1998; Collings 2003; Jewkes 2004). Two of the most pervasive myths are that (1) men find it naturally difficult to control their sexual desires and (2) child abusers must be suffering from some specific, extreme form of psychological imbalance or sexual or mental abnormality (Meursing et al 1995; Pappoe and Ardayfio‐Schandorf 1998; Jewkes 2004).…”

Why Are Men More Likely to Endorse Myths About Child Sexual Abuse Than Women? Evidence From Disposition and Situation-Based Approaches

“…Previous research has consistently observed gender differences in attitudes toward CSA, with women showing lower endorsement of CSA myths (Collings, 2003;Collings et al, 2009), and men showing higher levels of CSA victim blaming 4 (Alcantara et al, 2019), and lower perpetrator responsibility (Gerber et al, 2004).…”