Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

What is the most likely reason a survivor of childhood abuse would express doubt about the reality of the abuse?

1. The client has been contacted by the abuser and is scared.

2. The client is using avoidance to manage anxiety.

3. The client is unconsciously using suppression.

4. The client fabricated the story and now feels guilty.

The correct answer is: The client is using avoidance to manage anxiety.

A survivor of childhood abuse may express doubt about the reality of the abuse primarily as a response to intense emotions associated with the trauma, such as anxiety. This doubt can be a form of avoidance, a coping mechanism that helps individuals manage their feelings by distancing themselves from the traumatic experience. This mechanism can manifest as questioning the validity of their memories or experiences, which serves to protect them from the anxiety that comes with fully confronting those memories. In victims of childhood abuse, especially, there can be complex feelings tied to the abuse, including confusion, denial, or a desire to maintain relationships with family members involved. Avoidance can simplify these complicated emotions, allowing the survivor to minimize their distress. This is particularly relevant when the trauma isn't fully understood or when the survivor was very young and lacks a clear narrative of what occurred. Other factors, like fear of retribution from the abuser or feelings of suppression, can certainly play a role in a survivor's experience. However, avoidance as a mechanism for managing anxiety is a more encompassing and likely reason for doubt, as it directly addresses the immediate emotional turmoil linked to recollections of trauma and the survival instinct to shield oneself from pain.