Psychotherapy approaches for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse: an integrative review of outcomes research.
This review synthesized results of 26 outcomes research studies and two meta-analyses that evaluated abuse-focused psychotherapy techniques for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Different therapeutic approaches delivered in individual, group, or combination formats were evaluated with pre/post test, quasi-experimental, or randomized control designs. Accumulated research findings suggest that abuse-focused psychotherapy for adults sexually abused as children is generally beneficial in reducing psychiatric distress, depression, and trauma-specific symptoms. No one therapeutic approach was demonstrated to be superior. There was little evidence about the effectiveness of individual versus group therapy or the optimal treatment duration.
Martsolf
Donna S
DS
Kent State University, College of Nursing, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA. dmartsol@kent.edu
Draucker
Claire B
CB
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012107:Research Design; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*