Survival responses to incest: adolescents in crisis

Twenty-seven incest victims, aged 12-18, responded to their experiences with self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, suicide attempts, perfectionism, isolation, or depression in attempts to alleviate stress or assert some control over helplessness created by the incest. Therapy focused on the premise that such adolescent behaviors are logical and predictable survival responses rather than simply clues to sexual abuse. Treatment goals included establishing trust, helping the victim re-define his or her role in the incest, view destructive behaviors as predictable responses, and understand that present behaviors are a continuation of these past survival responses. Such self-awareness encourages the adolescent to better manage or discontinue now inappropriate behaviors.