NCJ Number
144441
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 363-377
Date Published
1993
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The process of coping with childhood sexual abuse is defined in terms of trauma themes and a dimension along which trauma resolution can be measured with respect to these themes.
Abstract
The recovery process is a dynamic one that involves the integration of traumatic material into the personality. The focus of psychotherapy is the abusive dynamics that drive current behavior. A first step in understanding the treatment process and in creating effective and efficient interventions is to reliably and validly measure the recovery process that is facilitated by therapeutic interventions. The authors have developed a coding system to describe the recovery process. It focuses on several major themes: helplessness, rage, fear, loss, shame, guilt, diffuse affect, benign world, meaningful world, people trustworthy, self-worthy, self-blame, reciprocity, alienation, and legitimacy. Among the seven dimensions along which each theme can be rated are "no conscious awareness," "general acknowledgment," and "resolution." Research is underway to evaluate changes in themes and symptoms in each of seven incest survivors involved in group psychotherapy. This preliminary treatment outcome study will prepare the way for controlled research designs evaluating theme-focused trauma interventions and their effects on recovery. Chart and 27 references