Group treatments for women sexually abused as children: a review of the literature and recommendations for future outcome research.
OBJECTIVE
Adults with a history of sexual abuse often suffer many long-term consequences. It is important that therapists be able to provide effective treatment to address the host of issues that are presented in therapy by adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). In order to provide the best possible treatment, therapists should know which treatments are most effective.


METHODS
This paper provides a critique of the outcome research of 13 studies (six uncontrolled and seven controlled) on the treatment of adults who suffered childhood sexual abuse and discusses specific methodological strategies that can enhance the quality of such research in the future.


RESULTS
Although many of the studies contain methodological limitations, the results generally indicate that group treatment helps reduce symptomatology in the short-term and at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Although outcome research has not been published on specific individual or conjoint treatment approaches for adult survivors of CSA, several outcome studies have found group treatment to be effective in the recovery of female CSA survivors.
Kessler
Mindi R Higgins
MR
Family Service and Guidance Center, 2029 SW Western, Topeka, KS, USA.
White
Mark B
MB
Nelson
Briana S
BS
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology