The attachment video-feedback intervention (AVI) combined to the trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) for sexually abused preschoolers and their parents: A pilot study examining pre- to post-test changes

Abstract

Child sexual abuse is associated with a range of negative consequences, including behavior problems and dissociative and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) has shown to be successful in the treatment of child victims of sexual abuse, but yet presents some challenges with preschoolers. Child sexual abuse has often been associated with insecure attachment among preschool children. Therefore, combining an attachment-based intervention with the TF-CBT may offer a means to optimize therapeutic outcomes. This pilot study examined in a pre/post-test design whether the combination of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) with the TF-CBT led to changes in the well-being of sexually abused preschoolers and their parents. Participants included 33 sexually abused children aged 4 to 6 years old and their non-offending caregivers. Parents completed questionnaires on their child’s behavior problems and dissociative symptoms, and reported on their own psychological distress and posttraumatic symptoms following their child’s disclosure of trauma. Results showed decreases in child internalizing and dissociative symptoms and maternal psychological distress and posttraumatic symptoms after the intervention. This pilot study suggests this combined protocol is a promising tool to foster the recovery of young victims of sexual abuse and their non-offending caregivers.