title: I stay and I follow: clerical reflections on pastoral care for victims of sexual abuse.
abstract: In this focus group study with clerics from the Church of Sweden, the Catholic Church, and the Free Church Movement, experiences of pastoral care for victims of sexual abuse were explored. The material was analyzed using thematic analysis. The participants expressed a wish to offer the best care possible. However, insecurity, a perceived lack of psychological competences, and restrictions imposed by the vow of silence provoked self-protective strategies that may affect both clerics and confidants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Lisa.Rudolfsson@psy.gu.se
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rudolfsson
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tidefors
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D002977:Clergy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D029221:Faith Healing / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D029181:Spirituality; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult