Impact of a group intervention for mothers on their sexually abused children psychotherapeutic change

Authors

  • Paulina Álvarez Zavala Centro de Atención a Víctimas de Atentados Sexuales
  • Analía Socorro Centro de Atención a Víctimas de Atentados Sexuales
  • Claudia Capella Sepúlveda Universidad de Chile

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a psychoeducative group intervention for mothers of sexually abused children, on the psychotherapeutic change of their children. An intervention was conducted in a specialized treatment center for child sexual abuse, using a control and an experimental group. Both groups were evaluated pre and post treatment, using the Achenbach Behavior Inventory and an evaluation checklist for the therapists. The results show an effect of the intervention on psychotherapeutic change in the experimental group, but not in the control group. This indicates an influence on therapeutic change in children, even though the difference within groups was not statistically significant.

Keywords:

child sexual abuse, group intervention, mothers