Resilience through Vulnerability: Post-Disclosure Trajectories of Male Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors

<p><strong>Research has identified key factors that facilitate or hinder disclosure of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in male survivors and has shown that disclosure can lead to support and positive health outcomes. However, hegemonic masculine norms such as vulnerability avoidance can prevent men from disclosing and seeking support, therefore contributing to the invisibility of this population. There is a paucity of qualitative research that explores male survivors’ experiences of disclosure, what it means for them to disclose, and what happens to them post-disclosure. This study explored male CSA survivors’ experiences of disclosure and focused on the outcomes they attributed to disclosure. Phenomenological in-depth one-on-one interviews were conducted with ten adult male survivors in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) identified the overarching theme of embracing vulnerability and seven super-ordinate themes related to disclosure and its outcomes. Disclosure was related to improved physical and mental health, optimised social relationships, and positive identity development. Facilitators of disclosure included social support, peer support, chance conversations, intoxication, and crisis points. The analysis also showed that although health professionals were influential in survivors’ recoveries, social networks were pivotal in providing support in more diverse ways. The findings highlight the need for: interconnected trauma-informed health services, initiatives that encourage male disclosure, professionals to adopt humanistic approaches, and training for people in survivor’s social networks so they can provide adequate and more accessible support. Overall, the study showed how structural components and interpersonal relationships can support male survivors and prevent or reverse the accumulation of health deficits that are often associated with CSA non-disclosure.</strong></p>