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theses

This study examined child and caregiver characteristics as predictors of caregivers’ participation in their children’s group treatment for sexual abuse. Specifically, this study examined children’s age, gender, internalizing symptoms, behavioral problems, social competence, and invasiveness and chronicity of abuse, as well as caregiver’s identification, income, education, and relationship to the perpetrator as predictors of caregiver attendance of group therapy. The sample consisted of 136 non-offending caregivers and their children, ages 6 through 13. Most families were economically disadvantaged and of African-American or Latino background. Caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and a demographic questionnaire prior to beginning a game-based cognitive-behavioral group therapy program (GB-CBT) for children who have experienced sexual abuse and their caregivers at an urban outpatient center specializing in abuse and maltreatment. A retrospective review of medical charts was conducted to assess the number of group therapy sessions attended by caregivers, the relationship of caregivers to perpetrators, and the type and chronicity of children’s abuse. Results indicated that caregivers’ biological identification and reports of their children’s greater internalizing symptoms and social competence prior to treatment were predictive of higher rates of caregiver attendance of group therapy. Secondary analyses revealed that non-biological caregivers and caregivers who reported fewer internalizing symptoms and lower social competence in their children were less likely to attend treatment. These findings provide useful information for developing strategies to improve treatment engagement of caregivers following CSA.

ETD_5007

Psy.D.

Includes bibliographical references

by Desiree Romaguera

doi:10.7282/T3B85644

ETD doctoral

The author owns the copyright to this work.