Dwelling in Suffering: Barriers to Men's Healing from Childhood Maltreatment

Abstract

Based on findings from a hermeneutic phenomenological study, this article provides a description and interpretation of barriers to healing that men encountered in the aftermath of childhood maltreatment. An analysis of interview data collected from 52 adult male survivors healing from childhood maltreatment identified a theme, Dwelling in Suffering, as representing the full range of barriers that impeded their healing. Subthemes of Dwelling in Suffering Personally, Relationally, and Social-Environmentally are discussed. This research highlights a complex understanding of the challenges men experience in healing from childhood maltreatment and the need for practice interventions and future research to ameliorate men's suffering.