Sexually abused women after multimodal group therapy: a long-term follow-up study

This study reports a long-term follow-up of 38 of 54 (70%) women who had participated in time-limited multimodal group treatment for the psychological sequelae of sexual abuse. The women had been highly symptomatic at the onset and were generally improved following treatment and at follow-up (M = 4.7, SD = 2.0 years). Nonetheless, many remained moderately symptomatic. Previous therapy and pre-therapy level of symptoms predicted a higher level of post-treatment symptoms, while better post-treatment status and younger age predicted fewer symptoms at the time of follow-up. Interpersonal functioning at follow-up was predicted by post-treatment interpersonal functioning. On the whole, clients perceived their interpersonal functioning as better at follow-up than it had been after treatment. Their use of any mental health services was modest in the follow-up period. In general, the long-term follow-up status of these women was encouragingly positive.