child sexual abuse ; TF-CBT ; factors affecting treatment outcome
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for sexually abused children, and to identify the factors affecting treatment outcome. TF-CBT was comprised of exposure, cognitive and affective processing, and psycho-education regarding childhood sexual abuse, health sexuality and personal safety skills. The participants consisted of 27 sexually abused girls between the ages of 8 and 13 who were referred to psychotherapy by psychiatrists because their symptoms were severe enough to be in need of intervention. They received 8-24 sessions (mean=13 sessions) individually on a weekly base. The results showed PTSD symptom, dissociative symptom, sexual concern, anxiety and depression as children's self-reported symptoms improved following therapy. There was also a significant improvement in internalizing problems and externalizing problems as reported by the parent. This results support the treatment effectiveness of TF-CBT. In addition, the study identified that PTSD diagnosis was the most significant predictor of treatment outcome of TF-CBT. Complex trauma, family structure, and number of sessions were also significant predictors. Clinical implications and limitations of this study were discussed