Attribution Retraining with Sexually Abused Children: Review of Techniques

• NCJ Number: 193389
• Journal: Child Maltreatment Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 65-76
• Author(s): Marianne Celano; Ann Hazzard; Susan K. Campbell; Claudia B. Lang
• Date Published: February 2002
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews attribution retraining techniques developed for use by clinicians treating sexually abused children.

Abstract

A diverse array of attribution retraining techniques have been developed or adapted for use in treatment of sexually abused children. Attribution techniques include verbal and written techniques. The first is cognitive-behavioral challenges of negative thoughts where the therapist elicits specific thoughts contributing to guilty feelings and then uses the Socratic method to dispute these thoughts. The second technique is listing attributions and suggested challenges. The clinician elicits specific attributions and gradually discusses alternative viewpoints, cautioning that mature reassurance that abuse is never the child’s fault may interfere with disclosure and refraining of negative attributions. The third is story metaphors that are used to elicit and challenge self-blaming attributions. The fourth technique is the affirmation technique where it is simply affirmed to the child that abuse is never the child’s fault. Attribution techniques using games and the arts include visual techniques, drama/role plays, musical techniques, and games. Offender-oriented techniques include discussion or explanation of offenders’ motivations as a means of clarifying responsibility. Techniques with parents include parallel treatment protocols for parents because parental attributions, emotional reactions, and support have been found to be strongly related to child outcome. To address parent self-blame, verbal cognitive-behavioral techniques are used. To address potential child blame, it is recommended to ask parents to identify ways that the perpetrator engaged their child in abuse. All these techniques aim to discourage self-blame and promote attributions of responsibility toward the perpetrator. There is little empirical information about the overall effectiveness of attribution retraining techniques with sexually abused children and their parents. 1 table, 1 note, 63 references