Psychological intervention and treatment programs for adult victims of child sexual abuse: A systematic review. 2024

Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, University of Maia.

OBJECTIVE Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a public crime, prevalent worldwide and associated with various consequences, which are potentially destructive, both in the short- and the long-term. This systematic review aimed to critically describe and analyze the studies published about the treatments implemented with these victims. METHODS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, studies were identified through search on EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Of the 49 articles retrieved, 14 were retained for further analysis, and seven were considered eligible for inclusion, leading to a final sample of seven articles, published between 2011 and 2021. From each study, we extracted objectives, methodological aspects, and main conclusions. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) empirical studies that provided psychological treatment for adult victims of CSA; (b) studies that included at least two treatment groups, with or without a control group but with pre- and posttreatment measures; (c) studies whose treatment was directed at the victim. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (a) studies published before 2011; (b) studies that included children and/or adolescents in their sample; (c) case studies; and (d) studies that have not implemented any psychological treatment for adult victims. RESULTS Most therapeutic approaches have been shown to be effective in reducing at least one of the symptom variables assessed (e.g., anxiety, depression, and PTSD), for which dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy showed the best results. CONCLUSIONS Although promising, the inconclusive results reflect the need for quality, controlled studies with a representative sample of CSA victims, which would overcome methodological shortcomings found in the analyzed studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
June 2024, Mental health science,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
January 1994, The Future of children,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
May 2013, Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
January 2000, Child abuse & neglect,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
April 2024, Trauma, violence & abuse,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
October 2017, Child abuse & neglect,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
January 1989, Child abuse & neglect,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
February 2012, Sleep medicine reviews,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
November 2018, The American journal of psychiatry,
Valéria Sousa-Gomes, and Beatriz Abreu, and Diana Moreira, and Amaia Del Campo, and Diana Sá Moreira, and Marisalva Fávero
January 1994, New directions for mental health services,
Copied contents to your clipboard!