Development and initial validation of the institutional child abuse processes and coping inventory among a sample of Irish adult survivors of institutional abuse

Abstract

Objective. To develop a psychometric instrument to evaluate psychological processes associated with institutional abuse and coping strategies used to deal with such abuse. Methods.As part of a comprehensive assessment protocol, an inventory containing theoretically derived multi-item rational scales which assessed institutional abuse-related psychological processes and coping strategies were administered to 247 Irish adult survivors of institutional child abuse. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to derive 6 factor scales, the reliability and validity of which were assessed.Results. Factor scales to assess the following constructs were developed (1) traumatization, (2) re-enactment, (3) spiritual disengagement, (4) positive coping, (5) coping by complying, and (6) avoidant coping. There were varying degrees of support for the validity of the scales with most support for the traumatization and re-enactment scales.

Aspects of social support and disclosure in the context of institutional abuse – long-term impact on mental health

“…While our findings might reflect a deficit in terms of underreporting, they do not reflect inflated symptoms. A further limitation is given by the rather small rate of respondents which is in accordance with other studies with victims of IA within the Catholic Church (O’Leary et al 2010 ; Flanagan-Howard et al 2009 ). This response rate might result from an overall shyness to disclose the experienced IA, but also from the characteristics of the sample which is dominated by male (Dorahy & Clearwater 2012 ).…”

“…For many years, the extent of institutionalized abuse during childhood perpetrated by representatives of the Catholic Church was unknown and not discussed publicly. However, in recent years, many countries and national Catholic Churches started victim compensation programs for the survivors of institutionalized abuse (Flanagan-Howard et al 2009 ). In Austria, an “Independent Victim Protection Commission and Advocacy” was established in April 2010.…”

“…Multiple studies report negative effects of childhood abuse on mental health in adult survivors, such as PTSD, major depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and suicide attempts for example (Chen et al 2010 ). However, the psychological impact of clerical institutionalized abuse has scarcely been investigated, but the effects seem to be highly adverse (Flanagan-Howard et al 2009 ; Lueger-Schuster et al 2014 ; Wolfe et al 2003 ).…”

Child sexual abuse in religiously affiliated and secular institutions: a retrospective descriptive analysis of data provided by victims in a government-sponsored reappraisal program in Germany

“…While resilience to and recovery from traumatic events are certainly possible [31], there is evidence that for many victims, child abuse can result in severe psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [32] and can have a significant and long-term impact on the ability to adjust to adult life [33]. In a study of 274 victims of sexual abuse in Ireland, the life prevalence rate for a psychiatric disorder was found to be 80% [34].…”

A network analysis of anger, shame, proposed ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder, and different types of childhood trauma in foster care settings in a sample of adult survivors

“…This aspect of inadequacy or negative self is also strongly related to PTSD symptoms (Foa, Ehlers, Clark, Tolin, & Orsillo, 1999). Consequently, it may be assumed that shame is an even more prominent experience in survivors of IA, who not only experienced various forms of abuse and neglect, but also reported suffering from the stigma of being a ‘foster care child’ and having been treated as a ‘second class person’ throughout childhood and even their adult lives (Bruskas, 2008; Flanagan-Howard et al, 2009). …”