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Effects of a Psychoeducational Group Intervention for Children Victims of Sexual Abuse

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Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a group intervention for child (6–12 years old) victims of sexual abuse. A sample of 51 children involved in a group psychoeducational intervention offered by a community center were contrasted to a sample of 39 children from a comparison group. Participants in the group intervention reported fewer anxiety and posttraumatic symptoms and relied less on avoidance coping to deal with the sexual abuse than children in the comparison group. The intervention was associated with fewer parent-reported behavior problems. Marginal effects were highlighted for depression and dissociation. Gender of the child, age group, and the type of abuse were not linked to outcomes. Children dropping out of treatment were perceived by parents as presenting higher behavioral problems at initial evaluation and were more likely to live in foster families.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, C.P. 8888, Canada

    Martine Hébert

  2. Université de Sherbrooke, Canada

    Marc Tourigny

  3. Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3P8

    Martine Hébert

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  1. Martine Hébert
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  2. Marc Tourigny
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Correspondence to Martine Hébert.

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Hébert, M., Tourigny, M. Effects of a Psychoeducational Group Intervention for Children Victims of Sexual Abuse. Journ Child Adol Trauma 3, 143–160 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1080/19361521003726930

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