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Background Sexual abuse has been associated with trauma, low self-esteem, anger, depression and challenging behaviours. This pilot study builds on a small published literature by evaluating a survivors group (SG) for women with an intellectual disability and an educational support group (ESG) for their carers. Method The SG was delivered weekly over 5 months for 20 sessions and the ESG ran concurrently for their seven carers in a separate room within the same community-based building. Participants were helped to build trust and rapport, provided with education about sexual abuse designed for their level of ability, and helped to reprocess the trauma of their sexual abuse. Results Both the SG and the ESG were evaluated using a repeated-measures design (double baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment and follow up), to see whether there was any improvement in relevant clinical dependent variables associated with the consequences of sexual abuse (i.e. trauma, self-esteem, anger, depression and challenging behaviour). Improvements occurred in sexual knowledge, trauma and depression. Neither self-esteem nor anger improved for most of the SG and challenging behaviour worsened at first before improving. Conclusions The SG seemed to be successful in improving sexual knowledge and in reducing trauma and depression, although challenging behaviours worsened at first before improving. There is a need for more sexual abuse/sexual education groups for men and women with intellectual disabilities.
Author(s): Peckham NG, Howlett S, Corbett A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Year: 2007
Volume: 20
Issue: 4
Pages: 308-322
ISSN (print): 1360-2322
ISSN (electronic): 1468-3148
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3148.2006.00347.x
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2006.00347.x
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