Long-term evaluation of group counselling for women with a history of child sexual abuse: focus on depression, self-esteem, suicidal behaviours and social support

A follow-up study six years after enrollment in social work group therapy focussing on childhood sexual abuse issues shows that the 28 individuals involved retained their gains in self-esteem and reduction of depression and suicidality. Very depressed women, with sexual abuse histories referred because of ethical restraints to psychiatrists, made fewer gains. Women with multiple abuse histories (combinations of physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse in childhood simultaneously or sequentially) and women who were blamed and rejected by their mothers for the childhood abuse, tended to make fewer gains on the relevant measures, either in groups or in psychiatric treatment