Sexual Abuse and Its Impact on Achievement Motivation: A Comparative Study between Sexually Abused and Non-sexually Abused Adolescents

Aims: To compare the levels of achievement motivation between sexually abused and non-sexually abused adolescents; to assess significant gender differences in achievement motivation between sexually abused and non-sexually abused adolescents.

Study Design: The present study was ex-post facto in nature. The purposive sampling method was employed to select the participants for the study. The sample of the study was administered the Deo-Mohan Achievement Motivation scale through one to one interaction.

Place and Duration of Study: The sample was selected from educational institutions (Schools and Colleges) and Non-Governmental Organizations from Goa. The duration of the study was February 2013 to February 2017.

Methodology: Permission was obtained from concerned authorities i.e., the incharges of the schools, colleges, and Non-government organizations for conducting the study. The participants were contacted personally and after assuring confidentiality and obtaining informed consent, the Deo-Mohan Achievement Motivation Scale and the personal and socio-demographic information questionnaire were administered. The obtained raw scores were converted into standard scores and analyzed using t-test.

Sample: Sexually abused and non-sexually abused adolescents in the age group of 11 to 18 years were selected in the study. Sexually abused adolescents included those adolescents who have been victims of any form of sexual abuse (Contact abuse: includes oral, vaginal and anal penetration, touching, kissing and masturbation; Non-contact sexual abuse: includes deliberate exposure of breasts or genitalia or witnessing a sexual act, either live or in films and photographs in print or electronic form). Non-sexually abused adolescents include those adolescents who have never been a victim of any form of sexual abuse. The total sample used in the study was 392. Of them, 192 were sexually abused adolescents (78 Males, 114 Females) and 200 were sexually non-abused adolescents (100 Males, 100 Females).

Results: Significantly low mean scores were obtained on achievement motivation by sexually abused adolescents (102.35, SD 17.10) while high mean scores were obtained by non-sexually abused adolescents (136.43, SD 16.67). The ‘t’ analyses (t=9.97, P<0.01) revealed significant difference among the sample groups with sexually abused adolescents having a lower achievement motivation than non-sexually abused adolescents. To highlight the gender difference gender analyses was carried out separately.

Significantly higher mean scores (116.33, SD 23.25) were obtained on achievement motivation by sexually abused male adolescents while sexually abused female adolescents obtained a lower mean scores (102.65, SD 15.22). The ‘t’ analyses (t= 1.96, p< 0.05) revealed significant differences between male and female sexually abused adolescents with males having a higher achievement motivation than females.

No significant differences were obtained on achievement motivation among non-sexually abused male 139.50 (SD 14.35) and female adolescents 135.18 (SD 17.04).

Conclusion: It was found that sexually abused adolescents have significantly lower levels of achievement motivation than non-sexually abused adolescents. A significant difference was observed in achievement motivation among sexually abused adolescents with regard to gender with females having a lower level of achievement motivation than males. No significant difference was noticed in achievement motivation among non-sexually abused adolescents with regard to gender.