Efficacy of two versions of emotion-focused therapy for resolving child abuse trauma.
This study evaluated and compared emotion-focused therapy for trauma (EFTT) with imaginal confrontation (IC) of perpetrators (n=20) and EFTT with empathic exploration (EE) of trauma material (n=25). Clients were women and men with histories of different types of childhood maltreatment (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; emotional neglect). Clients were randomly assigned to treatment condition. Outcome measures assessed symptom distress, self and interpersonal problems, and abuse resolution. Results indicated statistically and clinically significant improvements on eight measures at posttest, maintenance of gains at follow-up, and no statistically significant differences between conditions. There were higher rates of clinically significant change in IC and a lower attrition rate for EE (7% vs. 20%). More severe personality pathology negatively influenced some dimensions of outcome, particularly in EE.
Paivio
Sandra C
SC
Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. paivio@uwindsor.ca
Jarry
Josee L
JL
Chagigiorgis
Helen
H
Hall
Imogen
I
Ralston
Margaret
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011594:Psychometrics; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D012752:Shame; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*