Individual predictors of outcome in group treatment for incest survivors

Sixty-five abused women who participated in time-limited group therapy were evaluated before treatment on demographic variables, sexual abuse history, characteristics of the family of origin, and initial levels of depression and distress. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to determine the impact of these variables on response to treatment. Results suggest that education, marital status, type of sexual contact, and initial levels of depression and distress predicted response to treatment. In addition, a history of previous therapy showed a tendency to interact with type of group format to predict outcome. Implications for therapy and further research are considered.