A Single-Case Study of Resiliency After Extreme Incest in an Old Order Amish Family

Abstract

This exploratory research brief presents a single case study of the resiliency of “Mary B.” She grew up in an Old Order Amish family where isolation, secrecy, and patriarchy masked repeated sexual assaults by her older brothers that began at age 7. By the age of 20, Mary alleged she had been raped on more than 200 separate occasions by members of her Amish family. After years of pleading with her mother and church officials to intervene, she sought therapy outside the Amish community. This led to three of her brothers being incarcerated. Her family disowned her and she was banned from the Amish community, leaving with an 8th grade education and little more than the clothes she was wearing. In less than 2 years, Mary had moved to a new town, completed her GED, obtained a car and driving license, maintained a small home, and worked as a certified nursing assistant. She consented to tape recorded interviews and completed several quantitative diagnostic measures. Scores on the diagnostic measures placed her within the normal range on self-esteem, competency, depression, stress, social support, and life skills. Analysis of interviews revealed Mary rebounded from her past by reframing her experiences. Themes identified within the interviews supported 6 of the 7 types of resiliencies (insight, independence, initiative, relationships, humor, and morality) outlined in the therapeutic Challenge Model.

Keywords:

• Challenge Model
• recovery
• sexual abuse
• treatment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William M. McGuigan

William McGuigan is an associate professor of family studies. His research focuses on child maltreatment and family violence. Recent work has examined family dynamics within Amish and Plain Anabaptist families.

Sarah J. Stephenson

Sarah Stephenson received her baccalaureate degree in human development and family studies with high honors from the Pennsylvania State University–Shenango Campus. Since graduating she has worked in administration at HigherEd Jobs, linking higher education professionals with teaching and administrative jobs in academia.