Evaluating animal-assisted therapy in group treatment for child sexual abuse
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| Category | Journal Articles |
|---|---|
| Abstract |
This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of three group interventions on trauma symptoms for children who have been sexually abused. All of the groups followed the same treatment protocol, with two of them incorporating variations of animal-assisted therapy. A total of 153 children ages 7 to 17 who were in group therapy at a Child Advocacy Center participated in the study. Results indicate that children in the groups that included therapy dogs showed significant decreases in trauma symptoms including anxiety, depression, anger, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociation, and sexual concerns. In addition, results show that children who participated in the group with therapeutic stories showed significantly more change than the other groups. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed. |
| Publication Title | Journal of Child Sexual Abuse |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 665-683 |
| ISBN/ISSN | 1053-8712, 1053-8712 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| DOI | 10.1080/10538712.2012.726700 |
| Language | English |
| Author Address | Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 76129, USA. t.dietz@tcu.edu |
| Additional Language | English |
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