Treating sexually abused children with posttraumatic stress symptoms: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of child and caregiver participation in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of sexually abused children with posttraumatic stress symptoms.


METHODS
Thirty-six sexually abused children (aged 5-17 years) were randomly assigned to a child-alone cognitive-behavioral treatment condition, a family cognitive-behavioral treatment condition, or a waiting-list control condition.


RESULTS
Compared with controls, children who received treatment exhibited significant improvements in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and self-reports of fear and anxiety. Significant improvements also occurred in relation to parent-completed measures and clinician ratings of global functioning. In general, parental involvement did not improve the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Maintenance of improvement was evident at a 12-week follow-up assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive-behavioral treatment was useful, but further research is required on caregiver involvement.
King
N J
NJ
Faculty of Education, Monash University, Victoria, Australia. neville.king@education.monash.edu.au
Tonge
B J
BJ
Mullen
P
P
Myerson
N
N
Heyne
D
D
Rollings
S
S
Martin
R
R
Ollendick
T H
TH
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome