From Surviving to Thriving: Pathways to Well-Being Among Survivors of Online Child Sexual Abuse
摘要
Online child sexual abuse (OCSA) is increasingly recognized as a major global challenge. OCSA may have many short- and long-term consequences, including psychological, emotional, and interpersonal difficulties, as well as severe outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among some individuals. Although research has predominantly focused on documenting these adverse effects, comparatively less attention has been directed toward understanding the processes that support survivors’ adaptation, recovery, and growth. The present study investigated the well-being of individuals who experienced OCSA during childhood, with a focus on the roles of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and personal agency. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires from 1,243 participants, among whom 245 reported experiences of OCSA. Analyses examined whether PTG mediated the relationship between OCSA victimization and well-being, and whether personal agency moderated the association between OCSA victimization and PTG. Results indicated that PTG significantly mediated the relationship between OCSA victimization and well-being, suggesting that survivors who achieved growth following trauma demonstrated higher levels of well-being. However, personal agency did not significantly moderate the association between OCSA and PTG. These findings emphasize the importance of interventions that extend beyond harm reduction and actively cultivate PTG as a pathway to enhanced psychological outcomes. Therapeutic, community-based, and educational initiatives that foster meaning-making and resilience may be particularly valuable in supporting the recovery from OCSA.