The associations between posttraumatic stress disorder, self-compassion and gender self-acceptance in adult male survivors of child sexual abuse.

Abstract

The intersection of child sexual abuse (CSA) trauma and gender can create complex challenges, as societal expectations for men to remain strong and not seek support may prevent disclosure and worsen posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While self-compassion (SC) interventions have shown promise in treating PTSD, their effectiveness may be influenced by high adherence to traditional masculinity norms. This mixed-method study investigated how gender self-acceptance and SC are associated with PTSD severity in adult male survivors of CSA. Sixty-three male survivors of CSA took part in an online survey, which consisted of validated questionnaires and open-ended questions. Statistical regression and a mediation model examined the associations between gender self-acceptance, SC, and PTSD symptoms. Thematic analysis was used to provide a more nuanced understanding of the associations between the constructs. Whilst the quantitative analysis indicates that SC mediates the relationship between gender self-acceptance and the severity of PTSD, the qualitative findings highlight the impact of societal responses on male survivors' perceptions of masculinity and their ability to seek support. The implications of the study stress the need for a gender-informed approach to assessment, formulation, intervention and training when working with male survivors of CSA that takes into account both the role of gender and SC.