week 6 7 9
Group Psychotherapy in Sexually Abused Women
Nina Marie Gagnier, RN
NURS 6650N-Psychotherapy With Groups
Dr. M. Fletcher
January 6, 2019
Walden University
Introduction to Group Psychotherapy in Sexually Abused Women
- Sexual abuse of women is a global concern and can cause lasting psychiatric effects. Group psychotherapy is one of the preferred treatment modalities. (Sayın, Candansayar, & Welkin, 2013)
- Women who have survived childhood sexual abuse are at increased risk for many negative psychological problems
- Group psychotherapy has the ability to help vulnerable women to learn strategies for healthy coping techniques and cognitive behaviors surrounded by others that have a similar experience (Kreidler, & Einsporn, 2012).
Design: A prospective cohort study is conducted to research the benefit/effectiveness of group psychotherapy in Turkish women with a history of sexual abuse.
Type of psychotherapy used - eclectic method of group psychotherapy including cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, narrative therapy, psychoeducation, expressive techniques
Participants- 47 women with a history of childhood and/or adulthood sexual abuse
Setting- Psychiatry Department of Gazi University Hospital (inpatient & outpatient)
Weekly 90 minute sessions for 12 weeks
Study Design and Participant Selection of Sexually Abused Women in Group Psychotherapy Study
Study Participants Exclusion Criteria
Findings/Outcomes
Out of 47 women, 32 completed the entire group process
Many of the group members had significantly less depressive, anxiety and PTSD symptoms, both immediately after and six months after this therapy.
Treatment was significantly more effective for members who had a lower score for dissociation at baseline
Treatment was efficacious for 78.1% of the women
Effective for women of different cultural backgrounds
Limitations
Small sample
Not representative of all Turkish sexual abuse victims, because it includes only women living in the capital city
Not a controlled study
Not compared to any other form of treatment
Outcomes could be biased, performed by one of the therapists
Translation Into My Practice
Study completed in Turkey, this cultural group can have different beliefs on mental health treatment than in the United States
Group therapy for women with a history of sexual abuse needs more studies completed in other countries
References
Kreidler, M., Einsporn, R. (2012). A comparative study of therapy duration for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 50.4, 26-32.
Sayın, A., Candansayar, S., & Welkin, L. (2013). Group psychotherapy in women with a history of sexual abuse: What did they find helpful? Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(23/24), 3249–3258. doi:10.1111/jocn.12168