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Impact evaluation of a cognitive behavioral group therapy model in Brazilian sexually abused girls
- Authors:
- HABIGZANG Luísa, DAMÁSIO Bruno Figueiredo, KOLLER Silvia Helena
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22(2), 2013, pp.173-190.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study evaluated the impact of a newly developed cognitive behavioural group therapy model for young female victims of sexual abuse. The effect of the waiting period before treatment and the enduring effectiveness of the treatment after 6 and 12 months were also evaluated. The cognitive behavioural group therapy consisted of 3 stages: psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring (Stage 1, 6 weeks of group therapy); stress inoculation training (Stage 2, 10 weeks of group therapy); and relapse prevention (Stage 3, 16 weeks of group therapy). The participants were 49 Brazilian girls from 9-16 years of age who had experienced at least one episode of sexual abuse. The participants completed instruments measuring depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder before, during, and after the group therapy. The findings showed that group therapy had a positive impact on the girls psychological functioning, significantly reducing symptoms of anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They also showed that the model was of benefit regardless of the time between the sexual abuse and the beginning of group therapy. The therapeutic effects of the group therapy continued to be maintained 6-12 months after the treatment ended.