Factors Affecting Group Therapy Outcome for Adult Sexual Abuse Survivors

Abstract

Adult female sexual abuse survivors (N = 148) participated in year-long therapy groups. Demographic, abuse history, initial symptomatology, and group process variables were examined in relationship to group completion and improvement over time. Survivors who had previously been psychiatrically hospitalized were less likely to complete group treatment. Among group completers, significant pretreatment-posttreatment changes were found on measures of locus of control, sexual problems, self-esteem, trauma-related symptomatology (TSC-33), and general psychological distress (SCL-90-R). Greater changes on the SCL-90-R were found among Caucasian women, women with more initial trauma-related symptomatology, women whose abuse included intercourse, members of groups with similar abuse histories, and women with previous psychotherapy experience.

Psychotherapy Approaches for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: An Integrative Review of Outcomes Research

“…The d-indices of outcomes immediately following group termination ranged from .30 (Alexander et al, 1989) to 1.38 (Threadcraft & Wilcoxon, 1993). The mean index of the six short-term (less than 20 weeks) group studies was .79 and did not differ significantly from the d-index of the one long-term study evaluated (.66) (Hazzard et al, 1993). The U 3 of the short-term groups was 78.5%, which did not differ significantly from the U 3 of the long-term group (74.5%).…”

“…& Wilcoxon, 1991;Carver et al, 1989;Hazzard, Rogers, & Angert, 1993;Richter et al, 1997;Roberts & Lie, 1989;Threadcraft & Wilcoxon, 1993). Studies were included if enough data were reported to calculate a Cohen's (1988) d-index, an effect size indicator calculated from reported means or standard deviations or from other outcome statistics (e.g., t-test, F-ratio) to allow for across study comparison.…”

Sexually abused women after multimodal group therapy: A long-term follow-up study

“…We found that a better post-treatment status was predicted by fewer initial symptoms and with no previous treatment, a factor that has earlier been associated with rather poor post-treatment status (14). Furthermore, these women may have been relatively amenable to treatment, as almost all were married or cohabiting, a status that has been associated with increased posttreatment outcome (15).…”

Group Therapy for Women Sexually Abused as Children: Social Interaction, Adjustment, and Relationships Before and After Group Therapy

“…Five studies measured the effects within therapy groups. In three of the studies, the outcome was statistically significant improvements concerning self-esteem (Hazzard, Rogers, & Angert, 1993), self-concept (Threadcraft & Wilcoxon, 1993), and psychosocial functioning (Roberts & Lie, 1989). In two of the studies no improvements occurred concerning self-esteem (Carver, Stalker, Stewart, & Abraham, 1989) and concerning marital adjustment (Paddison, Einbinder, Maker, & Strain, 1993).…”

“…Statistically significant improvements were shown for therapy groups concerning interpersonal problems (Cloitre & Koenen, 2001), isolation Studies measuring effects within the trauma group Carver et al (1989) 57 Therapy group TSBI Not improved self-esteem. Hazzard et al (1993) 148 Therapy group ISE Improved self-esteem. Paddison et al (1993) 41 Therapy group MAS, IOES Not improved marital relations, intrusion and avoidance.…”