A multiperspectival case study exploring the ecosystemic context in the life of a young person who has experienced child sexual exploitation

Humphries, Amy (2020). A multiperspectival case study exploring the ecosystemic context in the life of a young person who has experienced child sexual exploitation. University of Birmingham. Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.

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Abstract

‘Child Sexual Exploitation’ (‘CSE’) is described by the NWG Exploitation Network (2019) as a form of child sexual abuse with “social, legal, political, economic and ethical dimensions”. Existing child protection procedures to address this form of abuse face scrutiny (Chase and Statham, 2005; Hanson and Holmes, 2014; Research in Practice, 2017) and a review of the existing UK-based literature highlighted a need for enhanced nuance and contextualisation in the understanding and response to this form of abuse. The current research sought to explore the context around a single case of ‘CSE’ from an ecosystemic psychology perspective. The research sought to gain insight in to the individual, situational and structural factors around the case as these were uniquely experienced by the young person, her parent and two professionals. Data collection was facilitated through use of semi-structured interviews, and data analysis and interpretation was conducted utilising principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The participants’ experiences were categorised into four overarching superordinate themes, each comprising a number of interrelated subthemes. Interpretation of the participants’ experiences highlighted complexity in the interactions between individual and contextual factors in the young person’s life and identified aspects of both resilience and risk within her lived experiences. The current research identifies a role for the field of child and educational psychology in forming part of a collaborative, systemic, multi-professional response to this form of abuse and offers a foundation for future research and practice development in this area.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ap.Ed.&ChildPsy.D.

Supervisor(s):