Relationship of treatment to adjustment in women sexually abused as children

Abstract

A sample of 57 nonclinical adult women who had been sexually abused as children were studied. Of the 36 women who received therapy, 20 reported that they were able successfully to resolve the issues related to their sexual abuse. Analysis of the data revealed that therapy directed specifically at the resolution of sexual abuse issues, or no therapy, resulted in perception of significantly better adjustment than any other type of therapeutic intervention. Marital, family, or individual therapy were equally effective in treating abused women. In addition, it was found that just under 25% of the women remained in therapy less than one month. There was no relationship between the amount of time in therapy and perception of successful therapy or subsequent adjustment. Quality of support system influenced the level of the subjects' adjustment to the trauma of sexual abuse. Implications of these findings are discussed.