title: A comparative study of therapy duration for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
abstract: The goal of this study was to determine whether duration of group therapy affected outcomes for women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The sample included women from 6-month therapy groups (n = 42) and the comparison group who completed 12 months of therapy (n = 114). When outcomes attained by the 6-month group were compared with those of the 12-month group, those in the 6-month group showed significantly greater gains in self-esteem, symptom change, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. In addition, although participants in the 6-month group improved more in depression scores than those in the 12-month group, the difference was not statistically significant. The results of this study indicate that intensive 6-month group therapy for female survivors of CSA may be even more beneficial than less intensive 12-month groups.
authors.affiliation: The University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA. mkreidler@uakron.edu
authors.forename: Maryhelen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kreidler
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Einsporn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*