Abstract
Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been recognized as a complex and widespread issue influenced by various individual, familial, social and cultural factors (Fontes, 1993a; Pereda et al., 2009). Victims are often encouraged to disclose based upon the belief that ending their silence will facilitate healthy coping (Paine & Hansen, 2002). Thus, the purpose of the present phenomenological study was to explore the CSA disclosure process among Latina survivors. Specifically, this study aimed to examine the impact of Latino cultural values related to familismo, respeto, gender role values and stereotypes, resignación, and religious beliefs regarding sexuality upon the disclosure process. Disclosure consequences for Latina survivors were also investigated, with a specific focus upon helpful disclosure responses. Familismo and respeto appeared to inhibit disclosure by means of familial pressures and power dynamics that facilitated pre-disclosure fears related to being blamed, disbelief, and rejection. Cultural values related to religious and traditional views of sexuality notably impacted gender roles, particularly Latina survivors' self-worth as measured by purity/virginity, which in turn deterred CSA disclosure. Latina survivors may utilize resignación as a coping mechanism to endure the psychological sequelae of CSA. Data regarding post-disclosure consequences suggested limited reactions or changes in response to participants' disclosures, as well as disbelief and denial on behalf of disclosure recipients. As a result, participants experienced feelings of vulnerability, including fear, helplessness, and disempowerment, as additional consequences of their disclosures. Beneficial disclosure responses were described as receipt of emotional support and validation, including being believed, and obtaining therapeutic services. Future research recommendations are provided and clinical implications are addressed to improve mental health services and post-disclosure responses for Latina survivors of CSA.