The attachment video-feedback intervention (AVI) combined to the trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) for sexually abused preschoolers and their parents: A pilot study examining pre- to post-test changes
Date
2021
Journal Title
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Publisher
Developmental Child Welfare
Abstract
Child sexual abuse is associated with a range of negative consequences, including behavior
problems and dissociative and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) has shown to be successful in the treatment of child victims of sexual
abuse, but yet presents some challenges with preschoolers. Child sexual abuse has often been
associated with insecure attachment among preschool children. Therefore, combining an
attachment-based intervention with the TF-CBT may offer a means to optimize therapeutic
outcomes. This pilot study examined in a pre/post-test design whether the combination of the
Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) with the TF-CBT led to changes in the well-being
of sexually abused preschoolers and their parents. Participants included 33 sexually abused children aged 4 to 6 years old and their non-offending caregivers. Parents completed questionnaires on their child’s behavior problems and dissociative symptoms, and reported on their
own psychological distress and posttraumatic symptoms following their child’s disclosure of
trauma. Results showed decreases in child internalizing and dissociative symptoms and maternal
psychological distress and posttraumatic symptoms after the intervention. This pilot study suggests
this combined protocol is a promising tool to foster the recovery of young victims of sexual abuse
and their non-offending caregivers.
Description
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, treatment, International Resources, Canada, attachment, therapy, psychological distress, research
Citation
Caouette, J., Hébert, M., Cyr, C., & Amédée, L. M. (2021). The attachment video-feedback intervention (AVI) combined to the trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) for sexually abused preschoolers and their parents: A pilot study examining pre-to post-test changes. Developmental Child Welfare, 25161032211013820.