NCJ Number
60993
Journal
PSYCHOTHERAPY - THEORY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (SUMMER 1977) Pages: 146-155
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
ATTITUDES OF SEVEN TEENAGE WOMEN WITH INCEST EXPERIENCE ARE DISCUSSED AND THEIR RESPONSES TO A GROUP TREATMENT PROGRAM EVALUATED IN ORDER BOTH TO INFORM ABOUT INCEST AND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE FAMILIES INVOLVED.
Abstract
THE SEVEN TEENAGERS STUDIED WERE ALL COMMITTED TO INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT BY THEIR COMMUNITY COURTS, FIVE FOR REPEATED RUNAWAY AND TWO FOR RUNAWAY AND PROSTITUTION. ALL SEVEN REPORTED THAT THE INCEST EXPERIENCE WAS PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SUBSEQUENT DELINQUENCY. THE MALES INVOLVED WERE ALL CAUCASIAN, OF MIDDLE OR LOWER MIDDLE INCOME, AND WERE FATHERS OR STEPFATHERS OF THE VICTIMS. THE SEVEN TEENAGERS VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATED IN EIGHT ONE-HOUR GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS, WITH TWO SUBGROUPS IN EACH SESSION. THEY TOOK CONTROL OF FOCUSING THE DISCUSSIONS, WITH MINIMAL PARTICIPATION FROM THE AUTHOR. TOPICS CHOSEN INCLUDED FEELINGS ABOUT THE PERPETRATOR, ABOUT MALES IN GENERAL, ABOUT RAPE, ABOUT TALKING ABOUT IT, AND ABOUT SELF-IMAGE. COMPARISONS OF PRETESTS AND POSTTESTS SHOWED THAT THE THERAPY INCREASED COMFORT IN TALKING ABOUT THE INCEST, ALTHOUGH THE TEENAGERS WOULD HAVE PREFERRED FAMILY THERAPY TO THE TREATMENT GIVEN. IN ADDITION, THE INCEST ITSELF WAS NOT AS DAMAGING EMOTIONALLY AS WERE REACTIONS FROM BOTH FAMILIES AND COUNSELORS. MOREOVER, HAD APPROPRIATE SERVICES BEEN AVAILABLE, THE SUBSEQUENT DELINQUENCY MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. RESULTS INDICATED THAT IN CASES OF INCEST, IMMEDIATE FAMILY TREATMENT AND CRISIS INTERVENTION WOULD BE PREFERABLE TO EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF ONE FAMILY MEMBER. USE OF EXISTING AGENCIES OR ESTABLISHING NEW ONES LIKE THE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND TREATMENT PROGRAM IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, ARE RECOMMENDED. TABLES, LISTS OF OPINIONS EXPRESSED DURING THE THERAPY, AND FOOTNOTES INCLUDING REFERENCES, ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)