title: Game-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (GB-CBT) group program for children who have experienced sexual abuse: a three-month follow-up investigation.
abstract: This study examined the efficacy of a game-based cognitive-behavioral group therapy program for addressing problems typically found among elementary school-aged victims of child sexual abuse immediately after treatment and at three months following treatment. It was hypothesized that positive gains would be observed among the following domains: (a) internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, and trauma); (b) externalizing behaviors (e.g., oppositional behavior, disobedience, and conduct disordered behavior); and (c) sexually inappropriate behaviors. Improved knowledge of abuse and personal safety skills was also predicted. Results indicated that game-based cognitive-behavioral group therapy resulted in improvements in internalizing symptoms, externalizing behavioral problems, total behavioral problems, and personal safety skills both immediately after treatment and at three-month follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. cspringer@barnabashealth.org
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: Justin R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Misurell
authors.forename: Atara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hiller
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010989:Play Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome