Efficacy of two versions of emotion-focused therapy for resolving child abuse trauma

Psychother Res. 2010 May;20(3):353-66. doi: 10.1080/10503300903505274.

Abstract

This study evaluated and compared emotion-focused therapy for trauma (EFTT) with imaginal confrontation (IC) of perpetrators (n=20) and EFTT with empathic exploration (EE) of trauma material (n=25). Clients were women and men with histories of different types of childhood maltreatment (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; emotional neglect). Clients were randomly assigned to treatment condition. Outcome measures assessed symptom distress, self and interpersonal problems, and abuse resolution. Results indicated statistically and clinically significant improvements on eight measures at posttest, maintenance of gains at follow-up, and no statistically significant differences between conditions. There were higher rates of clinically significant change in IC and a lower attrition rate for EE (7% vs. 20%). More severe personality pathology negatively influenced some dimensions of outcome, particularly in EE.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / diagnosis
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Child Abuse / therapy*
  • Emotions*
  • Empathy
  • Fear
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Imagination
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychotherapy, Brief / methods*
  • Shame
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*