Insights Into Trauma and Resilience: An Exploration of the Psychological Outcomes of Girl Child Abuse After Disasters
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2957-3645/19212Keywords:
trauma, resilience, psychological outcomes, girl child abuse, post-disasterAbstract
This qualitative study aims to explore the psychological experiences of girl child abuse survivors in post-disaster contexts. It emphasises the interplay of trauma, resilience and cultural influences on their recovery. A total of 32 participants, 11 girl child abuse survivors (ages 14 to 17) and 21 community members (women = 13; men = 8; age range 20 to 65 years), were engaged through semi-structured interviews and focus-group discussions. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to gather rich qualitative data which were analysed thematically to identify key findings. The analysis revealed three primary themes: the psychological outcomes of abuse, factors influencing resilience, and the effectiveness of interventions. The participants reported lasting mental health challenges, emotional neglect and stigma, which highlight the need for immediate psychological support and community-based programmes. They emphasised the importance of family dynamics and cultural norms in shaping resilience. The findings have significant implications for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 5 (gender equality). The research findings are able to inform policy and programmatic efforts aimed at creating trauma-sensitive interventions that empower vulnerable populations and foster resilience and recovery.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Unisa PressAccepted 2026-02-02
Published 2026-03-16
