Reduced psychiatric symptoms at 6 and 12 months' follow-up of psychotherapeutic and psychoeducative group interventions for children exposed to intimate partner violence

Background: Long-term follow-up studies of interventions for children exposed to intimatepartner violence are few, and the sustainability of their outcomes often remains unexplored anduncertain. Current research including follow-up assessment suggests that treatment gains may bemaintained or continue post termination. In addition some children may show increased levels ofsymptoms. Objective: The present effectiveness study investigated the long-term outcomes of two establishedgroup interventions for children exposed to intimate partner violence and their non-offendingparent. Participants and Setting: The study included 50 children, 24 girls and 26 boys, aged 4 to 13 yearsattending a psychotherapeutic child and adolescent mental health service intervention and apsychoeducative community-based intervention. Methods: Background information, child and parental mental health problems, trauma symptoms,and exposure to violence were assessed pre- and post treatment and at 6 and 12 months’follow-up. Results: Sustained treatment gains and late improvements in children’s internalizing and externalizingsymptoms and in symptoms of traumatic stress were recorded from post treatment tothe follow-up assessments (p = .004– .044; d = 0.29–0.67). No significant increase in symptomswas reported. Additionally, very little continued or renewed child exposure to violence was reported. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that the children did benefit from the two interventionsstudied and that the outcomes of reduced child symptoms and protection from exposureto violence were sustainable. Children with severe trauma symptoms benefited the most, thoughmaternal psychological problems may for some have hindered recovery. Clinical implications arediscussed