Group Work with Sexually Abused Adolescent Girls

A disruptive and unruly atmosphere is characteristic of most groups of disturbed adolescents, especially those with a history of abuse. However, group treatment for sexually abused children and adolescents is seen as the cornerstone of an effective treatment programme for this condition. Difficulties in treatment are rather similar to those in cases of borderline syndrome. This article describes the experience of group work in Northampton as an attempt to confront some of these difficulties.

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Maternal History of Child Sexual Abuse and Maladaptive Outcomes in Sexually Abused Children: The Role of Maternal Mental Health

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/08862605211013963 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052110139

Author(s):

Rachel Langevin ◽

Martine Hébert ◽

Audrey Kern

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Abuse ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Abused Children ◽

Maternal History ◽

History Of ◽

Sexually Abused Children

The effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) have been found to surpass generations as maternal history of CSA is associated with increased difficulties in sexually abused children. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. The present study aimed to test maternal mental health symptoms including psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and dissociation as mediators of the relationship between maternal CSA and children’s internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms in a large sample of sexually abused children. A total of 997 sexually abused children aged 3-14 years old and their mothers were recruited at five specialized intervention centers offering services to sexually abused children and their families. The children were divided into two groups depending on their mothers’ self-reported history of CSA. Mothers completed a series of questionnaires assessing their mental health and children’s functioning. Maternal history of CSA was associated with increased maternal psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and dissociation following children’s disclosure of CSA. In turn, maternal psychological distress and maternal dissociation were associated with increased child internalizing, externalizing, and dissociation symptoms. Maternal PTSD symptoms were associated with child internalizing symptoms. Maternal mental health difficulties mediated the association between maternal CSA and sexually abused children’s maladaptive outcomes. Clinicians should assess for possible history of CSA in mothers of sexually abused children and determine how best to support them to cope with the aftermaths of their child’s disclosure and with their own traumatic past.

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Group Work with Sexually Abused Children: A Practitioner's Guide

10.4135/9781452220529 ◽

2000 ◽

Keyword(s):

Group Work ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Abused Children ◽

Sexually Abused Children

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Family and Group Treatment for Sexually Abused Children

Journal of Child Sexual Abuse ◽

10.1300/j070v03n03_01 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 1-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jane F. Silovsky ◽

Toni L. Hembree-Kigin

Keyword(s):

Group Treatment ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Abused Children ◽

Sexually Abused Children

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Aggressive Behavior Among Women Sexually Abused as Children

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.15.3.235 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 235-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Jane A. Siegel

Keyword(s):

Aggressive Behavior ◽

Low Income ◽

Sexually Abused ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Abused Children ◽

History Of ◽

Forms Of Violence ◽

Sexually Abused Children ◽

Intervening Variables

Although research shows that sexually abused children appear to be at risk of subsequent aggressive behavior, few investigations address whether such behavior persists beyond childhood. This research describes the self-reported adolescent and adult fighting behavior of 136 women sexually abused as children and examines the role of intervening variables in the risk of such behavior. The women are part of a longitudinal study of 206 primarily low-income, urban women whose abuse was documented at the time it occurred. Fighting was common, particularly during adolescence. Adult aggression was strongly associated with being a victim of violence by an intimate partner. A history of exposure to other forms of violence significantly increased the risk of fighting while strong maternal attachments mitigated the risk, primarily by reducing the likelihood of involvement in an abusive intimate relationship.

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