Effects of individual client-centered play therapy on sexually abused children's mood, self-concept, and social competence.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain effects of individual client-centered play therapy on sexually abused children’s mood, self-concept, and social competence. A weekly client-centered play therapy protocol was utilized with 26 cases of 3 to 9 year-old sexually abused children for approximately ten sessions. All 26 subjects and parents completed an assessment battery before and immediately after treatment, and 24 cases completed a two-month follow-up battery. Overall, findings indicate mixed support for the efficacy of play therapy. Although there was initial support for improvement in the childrens’ perceptions of competency, other group comparison results indicated no statistical significance. Utilizing the Reliable Change Index formula, 8 children clinically improved, 4 deteriorated, 4 improved with follow-up deterioration, and 8 cases indicated no significant change. Additional qualitative severity comparisons, research limitations, and a discussion of the impact on current practice follow.

Development of the trauma play scale: An observation-based assessment of the impact of trauma on play therapy behaviors of young children.

“…No significant changes were evident in parents' reports of their perceptions of their children's behaviors, as measured by the BASC-PRS. The researchers (Scott, Burlingame, Starling, Porter, & Lilly, 2003) noted a trend in the data that suggests that children whose abusers were family members or non-custodial parents evidenced less improvement than children whose abusers were more distant. The results of this study showed inconclusive evidence of the efficacy of client-centered play therapy with sexually abused children (Scott, Burlingame, Starling, Porter, & Lilly, 2003).…”

“…The researchers (Scott, Burlingame, Starling, Porter, & Lilly, 2003) found mixed support for the efficacy of client-centered play therapy with sexually abused children. Significant results were reported on the JPPSCS Competency subscale; that is, children reported having significantly fewer problems associated with competence at the conclusion of the study.…”

“…The authors stressed the need for measurement instruments that assess more subtle changes in children's behavioral and emotional adjustment, as well as the need for large studies that compare various treatment approaches (Scott, Burlingame, Starling, Porter, & Lilly, 2003).…”

“…The efficacy of client-centered play therapy with sexually abused children was recently investigated (Scott, Burlingame, Starling, Porter, & Lilly, 2003). These researchers recruited twenty-six children, aged three to nine, for participation in the study.…”

“…Several outcome-based studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of play therapy with children who have experienced sexual abuse or domestic violence (Kot, 1995;Perez, 1987;Reams & Friedrich, 1994;Saucier, 1986;Scott, Burlingame, Starling, Porter, & Lilly, 2003;Smith, 2000;Tyndall-Lind, 1999).…”