SEXUALLY ABUSED ADOLESCENT: Conceptualization of Sexual Trauma and Nursing Interventions

Understanding the need for personal space boundary restoration in women-client survivors of intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse

A large volume of literature exists on childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and nursing literature on this topic continues to develop. However, discussion of boundaries in relation to intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse (ICSA) and to its significance in terms of personal space boundary (PSB) violation, is lacking. This is important, as PSB violation creates difficulties for adult survivors of ICSA and for nurses who care for these people as clients. As all experiences of CSA cannot be addressed, discussion focuses on women who are clients of mental health services and who have experienced ICSA. Using Scott's work on boundaries and her diagrammatic conceptualization of PSBs, links are created between ICSA boundary violation, resultant PSB regulation difficulties and principles to guide nursing practice. Discussion centres on understanding the need for PSB restoration in women-client survivors of ICSA.

Milieu management of traumatized youngsters

TOPIC

Traumatized youngsters are disproportionately represented in out-of-home treatment facilities. Conceptual models that guide treatment of traumatized youngsters are not well integrated with models that guide milieu management.

PURPOSE

To describe a milieu management approach for treatment of traumatized youngsters.

SOURCES

Clinical experience with hospital and residential treatment facilities and therapeutic foster homes, as well as literature support.

CONCLUSIONS

Familiar treatment strategies take on an additional meaning when they are implemented in the context of the children's histories of exposure to traumatic events.