NCJ Number
138601
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 396-409
Date Published
1992
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the evaluation of a psychotherapeutic intervention program used with sexually abused boys.
Abstract
Concern about the relative lack of therapy services for male victims of sexual abuse led Washington State to fund such a clinical treatment program to be conducted by a youth agency in the greater Seattle area. The treatment approach used individual, group, and family therapy, but treatment techniques varied from individual to individual. Program goals are to ameliorate the behavioral effects of sexual abuse, prevent further victimization, and enhance family functioning. Between April 1985 and December 1987, 42 boys were presented for initial interview and possible treatment. The majority of the 33 boys who completed the program were white, between the ages of 4 and 16, and from single-parent families. A variety of measures were chosen to tap information from the child and pertinent adults, including the therapist. Information was obtained on family functioning, parental depression, and social support, to determine the family context for each child. Child psychological and behavioral manifestations were determined for before and after program participation, based on parent measures, child-report measures, teacher measures, and therapist measures. The evaluation determined that clinically and statistically significant improvements were noted in a number of areas, including overall behavioral problems and sexual behavioral problems. Therapy outcome was related to a number of family and abuse factors, including maternal depression and social support, family conflict, and abuse severity. 3 tables and 23 references