Children's and carers' perspectives of a therapeutic intervention for children affected by sexual abuse

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study with children affected by sexual abuse who had recently completed a therapeutic intervention (N = 12) and their carers (N = 17). Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis that influenced participants' satisfaction with the service: the attribution of the child's recovery to the therapeutic support received; the therapeutic relationship between the child and practitioner; children's recollection of important aspects of the intervention and the relationship between the carer and the child's practitioner. The findings indicate that the process elements of therapeutic support, including the development of strong relationships and allowing children choice and control, are as important as the content.

Change during psychotherapy: the perspective of children and adolescents who have been sexually abused

“…These researchers found that the child-therapist relationship was valued by both the children and their parents as a relevant part of the intervention experience. In the present study, as well as in Jessiman et al (2017), children valued the chance to talk to an understanding and supportive person with whom they developed a trustbased relationship that allowed them to discuss difficult issues, but who also gave them the freedom to not talk about uncomfortable subjects. In addition, the therapist is cosnidered as an agent who fosters the patient's reflection and takes part in his/her change.…”

“…Even though Jessiman's study examined children who completed their therapy, the number of sessions that they attended roughly matched the moment when the interviews were conducted in the present study (between 14 and 26 sessions). That is, what was defined as the initial or middle stage of the therapy in the present study was the final stage of the intervention for Jessiman et al (2017), with both processes including a similar number of sessions. Despite these differences in the understanding/categorization of the intervention, emotional relief emerged as a relevant change for both samples at similar moments.…”

“…Despite the importance of psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic change in these cases, international studies on CSA are mostly focused on the general characteristics of the phenomenon, psychological diagnosis, and/or legal proceedings and evidence (Malacrea, 2000 ). Studies involving psychotherapy, especially those that incorporate the participants’ own perspectives, are less common (Capella et al , 2016 ; Foster & Hagedorn, 2014 ; Jessiman, Hackett, & Carpenter, 2017 ; Nelson-Gardell, 2001 ).…”

“…Studies involving psychotherapy, especially those that incorporate the participants' own perspectives, are less common Foster & Hagedorn, 2014;Jessiman, Hackett, & Carpenter, 2017;Nelson-Gardell, 2001).…”

“…Nevertheless, these studies only included the views of children and adolescents after the completion of the psychotherapeutic process Jessiman et al, 2017), involving group interviews (Nelson-Gardell, 2001), or including an analysis of materials written by the participants during the psychotherapy (Foster & Hagedorn, 2014) without individually asking the children and adolescents about their opinions regarding the psychotherapy and their own changes during the therapeutic process.…”