Narrative Research on Child Sexual Abuse: Addressing Perennial Problems in Quantitative Research

Abstract

Narrative research can offer insights into perennial methodological problems facing quantitative researchers in the field of child sexual abuse. Using research data from a retrospective, narrative study of 29 adult participants who had spent their childhood in a New Zealand commune in which child sexual abuse was known to have occurred, this article explores four key methodological issues in the field of child sexual abuse research. These include problems surrounding the definition and reporting of child sexual abuse; the relationship between sexual abuse and other adverse experiences; the link between abuse and its variable psychological effects; and finally, the ethics of conducting research into child sexual abuse. Recommendations are made for future directions in child sexual abuse research.

Keywords:

• child sexual abuse
• intentional communities
• narrative method
• qualitative methodology

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted with funding and at the request of the New Zealand Communities Growth Trust.