Developing and assessing effectiveness of a time-limited therapy group for incarcerated women survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Abstract

A thorough search of the literature has revealed little empirical research on the effects of trauma therapy with incarcerated women with histories of CSA. Psychotherapy, when available in a correctional setting, seems more related to resolving immediate crises that interfere with smooth management of the corrections environment rather than dealing with underlying problems such as CSA. The purpose of this preliminary investigation therefore was to implement and evaluate the efficacy of a time-limited, trauma-focused group intervention with a group of recently-incarcerated women volunteers who had experienced CSA. Five women completed the group plus pre- and post-test measures; a wait-list control group completed measures at the same intervals. Results were mixed in regard to the effectiveness of treatment: decreases were found in the mean Trauma Content (TC/R) scores of the Rorschach Inkblot Method (RIM), but scores on the TSI and the SCL-90-R did not vary greatly. However, women in the control group showed consistent declines in scores during the wait-list period, suggesting the intervention may have helped newly incarcerated women adjust with less symptomatology.