NCJ Number
136533
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 297-307
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A sample of 72 children sexually abused at a residential school for the deaf by dormitory staff or older students was studied to assess the effectiveness of a broad-based psychotherapeutic intervention program. The type of abuse included witnessing sexual abuse, fondling, oral and digital penetration, and anal or vaginal intercourse.
Abstract
Half the group was untreated because of parental refusal of treatment. Treated and untreated children were assigned to two assessment groups: those who participated in a pretreatment assessment and those who did not. The Child Behavior Check List was used during the pretreatment assessment and was administered to the entire sample one year after the beginning of psychotherapy. The findings showed that children receiving psychotherapy exhibited significantly fewer behavior problems than the untreated children. There were differences based on gender. Treated boys scored lower than nontreated boys on these scales: total, internal, external, somatic, uncommunicative, immature, hostile, delinquent, aggressive, and hyperactive. Girls in psychotherapy scored lower than the control group on these scales: total, external, depressed, aggressive, and cruel. 7 tables and 28 references (Author abstract modified)