Abstract

ANTUNES, Carla  and  MACHADO, Carla. Abuso sexual na infância e adolescência: Resiliência, competência e coping. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2012, vol.30, n.1-2, pp.63-77. ISSN 0870-8231.

This manuscript reports a critical review on resilience in the field of sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence. This is an area that has been little explored, to some extent, due to methodological problems and conceptualization of the construct. Despite the diversity and controversy of conceptual proposals, it is relatively consensual that resilience does not mean invulnerability, but it means a greater ability of the child/youth to maintain the normative developmental course in a situation of stress or adversity. In the present article it is discussed the concept of resilience as adaptive developmental outcome following an adverse experience. In this context, are explored the main lines of research in recent decades and systematized central conclusions in this area. Likewise, are still defined challenges and set future directions in research. The conclusions of this review warn for the role of interactive and generative child/youth victims and their life contexts on the course of developmental change. In this sense, the positive adaptation is not an individual task of the victim but of all those involved, particularly in terms of conditions and availability of support networks favorable to an adaptive recovery.

Keywords : Coping; Recovery; Resilience; Sexual abuse.

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