ADULT TRAUMATOLOGY TOPIC AND THESIS 1
Adult Traumatology Topic and Thesis
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
TRMA 810: Adult and Familial Trauma
Dr. Jama Davis
November 2, 2025
ADULT TRAUMATOLOGY TOPIC AND THESIS 2
Adult Traumatology Topic and Thesis
Topic and Paragraph
Adult Survivors with Complex Trauma from Childhood Sexual Abuse
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) usually occurs repeatedly over time, and this can cause it
to leave long-term damage, otherwise known as complex trauma (Talwar et al., 2025). Survivors
may present symptoms of negative self-concept, disturbances in affective dysregulation, and
relational disturbances (Talwar et al., 2025) with depressive and posttraumatic symptoms being
common as well (Munroe & Shumway, 2022). Individuals can struggle with feelings of shame,
doubt, chronic hypervigilance, or even an emotional numbness resulting in interference in their
interpersonal and romantic lives (Brenner et al., 2021). Research supports cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) as being a consistently effective intervention
when treating CSA survivors by promoting positive changes and addressing the consequences
that follow CSA (Uzondu & Hollenbaugh, 2025; Choudhary et al., 2023). The utilization of
cognitive restructuring, trauma narration, skill training, and self-growth techniques help the
survivor develop the skillset to rebuild their story and a sense of safety in their adult lives that
supports lifelong healing.
Thesis Statement
Adults that have experienced childhood sexual abuse often have complex trauma that
can be seen in their struggle with emotions and relationships, but CBT and TF-CBT are
supported by research in treating the symptoms and reshaping one’s thoughts and beliefs.
ADULT TRAUMATOLOGY TOPIC AND THESIS 3
References
Brenner, I., Bachner-Melman, R., Lev-Ari, L., Levi-Ogolnic, M., Tolmacz, R., & Ben-Amitay, G.
(2021). Attachment, sense of entitlement in romantic relationships, and sexual
revictimization among adult CSA survivors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(19-
20), NP10720-NP10743. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519875558
Choudhary, V., Satapathy, S., & Sagar, R. (2023). Development of a brief psychological trauma
intervention for child sexual abuse in India. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 32(7), 879-
903. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2023.2249873
Munroe, C., & Shumway, M. (2022). Female-perpetrated sexual violence: A survey of survivors
of female-perpetrated childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual assault. Journal of
Interpersonal Violence., 37(9–10), NP6655–NP6675.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520967137
Talwar, S., Kennerley, H., Jadhav, S., Killaspy, H., Sagar, R., Appleton, R., & Billings, J. (2025).
‘Sometimes I cry with that child’: Experiences and views of adult survivors of childhood
sexual abuse on psychosocial treatment and support in India. European
Journal of Psychotraumatology, 16(1), 2552532.
https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2552532
Uzondu, A. C., & Hollenbaugh, K. M. H. (2025). The effectiveness of CBT-based positive self-
affirmations on childhood sexual abuse survivors’ self-esteem and hope. International
Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 47(3), 505-530.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-025-09608-0
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