Department of Psychology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/604

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Author: search.filters.author.HENOCK HAILESubject: search.filters.subject.Psychological distress

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    PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND COPING MECHANISMS OF SEXUALLY ABUSED FEMALE CHILDREN: THE CASE OF ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN’S SANCTUARY DEVELOPMENT (AWSAD) SHELTER HOME IN HAWASSA CITY
    (HAWASSA UNIVERSITY, 2024-03) HENOCK HAILE
    This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychological distress and coping mechanisms among sexually abused female children in the AWSAD shelter home in Hawassa City. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from 60 participants using Kessler10, Post-traumatic Stress-Checklist 5 (PCL-5), and Brief Coping-28. The participants' ages ranged from 6-18 years, and data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. The results revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress (55%) among sexually abused female children. The Pearson correlation model showed a strong positive correlation between psychological distress and traumatic experiences (r = 0.815, p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between psychological distress and coping mechanisms (r = 0.280, p < 0.05), age (r = 0.308, p < 0.05), and education level (r = 0.368, p < 0.01). However, there was a weak negative correlation between psychological distress and employment (r = -0.031, p < 0.80). The study also found that the highest mean score for adaptive coping strategies was for religion or spiritual beliefs (M=3.62, SD=0.715) and doing something to think about it less (M=3.58, SD=0.907). The lowest mean score for an adaptive coping strategy was for accepting the reality (M=1.95, SD=1.333). The most commonly used maladaptive coping strategies were criticizing oneself (M=3.28, SD=1.166), self-blame (M=3.25, SD=1.174), and denial (M=2.18, SD=1.308). In conclusion, the study found a high prevalence of psychological distress among sexually abused female children, despite their use of adaptive coping mechanisms. Therefore, comprehensive and specialized support programs within shelter homes are essential to minimize further mental health problems.