An Integrated Approach to Treating Non-Offending Parents Affected by Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse has been associated with a number of serious physical and psychological consequences throughout childhood and into adulthood for both child victims and their families. This paper describes the preliminary outcomes of a pilot group program to treat non-offending parents of sexually abused children. This group program is integrative in its approach combining elements of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral and psychoeducational/supportive interventions to treat nonoffending parents of sexually abused children. This study also focuses on outcomes in terms of parental post-traumatic distress and general family functioning.A small group of non-offending parents was recruited from a local child advocacy agency. Parents attended the twelve-week group program and outcomes such as parent post-traumatic stress and family dysfunction were examined. Measures of overall satisfaction and intervention feasibility were also examined at the end of the group intervention.Favorable outcomes included a decrease in parent self-report of post-traumatic stress and select aspects of family dysfunction. Seventy five percent of parents completed the group program. Satisfaction questionnaire responses demonstrated highly favorable perceptions of the group's content, leaders, and helpfulness.This study served as an initial step in the development of larger family-focused interventions involving parallel parent and child groups and focused family sessions. Outcomes may begin to shed some light on the need for more parent-and family-focused interventions in families that have been affected by sexual abuse.

Nonoffending Mothers of Sexually Abused Children

“…As such, it is believed that adult survivors of sexual abuse are less likely to respond or are slower to constructively respond to situations of their child's abuse (Courtois 1988 ;Hernandez et al 2009 ;Howard 1993 ;Ovaris 1991 ).…”

“…They provide an opportunity for the entire team of professionals working with the family to coordinate from the beginning of the investigative and legal procedures all the way through the treatment process (Bonach et al 2010 ). Families often complain about the lack of continuity with intervention services and child advocacy centers are posed to provide both child-and family-focused programs (Hernandez et al 2009 ).…”

“…And, more recent literature emphasized the importance of mothers believing and supporting their children following the disclosure of sexual abuse (Bolen and Lamb 2007 ;Coohey and O'Leary 2008 ). Additionally, some literature addressed the impact of childhood sexual abuse on mothers' parenting attitudes and practices (Banyard 1997 ;Benedict 1998 ;Hernandez et al 2009 ;Parr 2010 ). Of note, nonoffending mothers who have a history of childhood sexual trauma make up the vast majority of women who have child victims of sexual abuse (Deblinger et al 1993 ;Friedrich 1991 ;Hebert et al 2007 ).…”

Analisis Dukungan Psikososial yang dibutuhkan Keluarga dengan Anak yang mengalami Kekerasan Seksual

“…Masalah psikososial yang dialami oleh anak korban kekerasan seksual juga ikut dirasakan oleh keluarga yang anaknya mengalami kekerasan seksual (Carson, Foster, & Chowdhury, 2014). Masalah psikososial yang muncul pada keluarga dapat berupa stres pasca trauma dan disfungsi keluarga (Hernandez et al, 2009). Stres pasca trauma yang sering muncul pada keluarga yaitu cemas dan depresi (Mannarino, Cohen, Deblinger, & Steer, 2007;Tavkar & Hansen, 2011;Lewin, 2000;Edwards, 2008).…”

Influencia de una intervención grupal para madres en el cambio psicoterapéutico de sus hijos/as víctimas de agresiones sexuales

“…Si bien no existe consenso en torno a qué forma de intervenir es la más efectiva, hay acuerdo respecto a que la realización de intervenciones con figuras parentales protectoras facilita la reducción del impacto de las agresiones sexuales infantiles, tanto para el niño/a, como para su familia (Dyb, Holen, Steinberg, Rodríguez & Pynoos, 2003;elliot & Carnes, 2001;Finkelhor & berliner, 1995citado en bickman, Marrington, Nurcombe, Roberts & Wooding, 2000Hernández et al, 2009;Hooper, 1994;Jaeger, Mosca & gonzález, 2009;Malacrea, 2000;Sinclair & Martínez, 2006;timmons-Mitchell, ChandlerHoltz & Semple, 1997). así, incorporar a los padres no agresores en el tratamiento está asociado con resultados positivos, ofreciendo ventajas ante el tratamiento solo con el niño/a (Corcoran & Pillai, 2008;Harvey & taylor, 2010).…”