NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

4-4-2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation - Open Access

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Dr. Adam Block

Abstract

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a traumatic experience that can have lasting psychological impacts on its survivors. Resilience and empathy are crucial for the recovery and social functioning of CSA survivors. However, the relationship between CSA and these constructs remains complex and not fully understood. Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether significant differences exist between individuals who have experienced CSA and those who have not. Additionally, the study also investigated the relationship between empathy and resilience. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 adult participants, including CSA survivors and non-CSA participants. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was used to assess resilience, while the Empathy Quotient was used to assess the participants' empathy. Results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, independent-samples t-test, and simple linear regression. Results: The results indicated no statistically significant differences between CSA survivors and non-CSA survivors regarding resilience (U = 310.5, z = -.716, p = .474) and empathy (p = .763). However, simple linear regression showed a moderate positive and significant relationship between empathy and resilience, F (1, 32) = 73, p = .009, R2 = .193. Conclusion: The findings highlight the dynamic nature of resilience and empathy, suggesting that multiple factors beyond the experience of CSA alone may influence these constructs. Future research should incorporate larger sample sizes and qualitative approaches to better understand the complex interplay between resilience, empathy, and external support systems in CSA survivors.

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Available for download on Sunday, August 31, 2025

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