This study examined the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions following sexual assault using a meta-analytic approach.
The overall results of this study found that psychotherapeutic treatment modalities for the treatment of rape-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were beneficial for victims of sexual assault, and these effects were maintained up to 1 year following treatment. Additional research is recommended to ascertain whether specific approaches yield more benefit and to strengthen the ability to further assess variables that might moderate treatment outcome. A review of the last 20 years of research on rape and sexual assault considers sexual assault prevalent and associated with extensive and varying reaction patterns. This study presents the results of a meta-analysis of the treatment outcome studies of different types of psychotherapeutic approaches for sexual assault victims experiencing PTSD or rape trauma symptoms. There were 15 published studies and 25 treatment conditions investigated. Tables, figures, and references