An exploratory study of group therapy for sexually abused adolescents and nonoffending guardians.
Adolescent survivors of sexual abuse frequently report severe trauma, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. While cognitive-behavioral group interventions show promise, interpreting efficacy is problematic due to commonly high attrition. This article reports promising exploratory study findings relating to a 12-week multimodal abuse-specific group intervention with a nonoffending parent/caregiver component. Participants (aged 11 16 years) consisted of six adolescents with severe abuse histories, and their caregivers. Participants completed pre-, post-, and 1-month follow-up measures. The results were consistent with the possibility that the program produced clinically meaningful reductions in abuse-related psychological sequelae, the program had excellent face validity with participants, and there were no dropouts.
Smith
Amanda P
AP
Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
Kelly
Adrian B
AB
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D035502:Trust