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Acceptability, Feasibility, and Preliminary Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Processing Therapy with Female Adolescent Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Cambodia

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A Correction to this article was published on 15 October 2021

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Abstract

Research supports the efficacy of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for reducing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and comorbid conditions among survivors of sexual assault and other traumas. To date, there are no known studies using CPT with adolescents exposed to commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). The pilot study implemented a modified version of group CPT to determine the preliminary acceptability and feasibility of this intervention with adolescents who experienced CSE. Thirteen participants living in a residential treatment facility in Cambodia received 10 sessions of modified group CPT. Participants were adolescents ranging in age from 14 to 19. Measures of PTSD, depression symptom severity, and suicidal and non-suicidal ideation and behaviors were obtained at baseline, during the intervention, and 1-week and 3 months posttreatment. Group attendance rates and client satisfaction measures of the intervention were obtained. Client satisfaction with the group intervention was high (mean = 27, SD 2.61) and group attendance was good. There was a significant decline in PTSD symptom severity F(7,24) = 2.60, p = .037 and a significant decline in depression symptom severity over time F(7,12) = 9.67, p < .001. There were no occurrences of suicidal or non-suicidal behavior during the study or at follow-up with one participant reporting suicidal ideation after treatment began. The modified CPT intervention appeared to be feasible and received a high acceptability rating.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Clemans would like to express appreciation to the NGO clinical staff and leadership, Jo Snapp, Sola Long, Pisey Lengchan, Phanna Lim, James Pond, Athena Pond, and Sara Nadelman, for their support to ensure the successful completion of this research study. In addition, Dr. Clemans would like to express appreciation to Dr. Craig Bryan for his guidance and support throughout the study, and to Kirsi White and Emily Maney for their contributions to this project.

Funding

This study was funded by Psychology Beyond Borders. The research grant number is 0035799.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center On Trauma and Children, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 3470 Blazer Parkway, Suite 100, Lexington, KY, 40509, USA

    Tracy A. Clemans

  2. Catholic University of America, Washington, USA

    Kirsi L. White

  3. VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, USA

    Dianna Fuessel-Herrmann

  4. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, USA

    Craig J. Bryan

  5. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke Health, Durham, USA

    Patricia A. Resick

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  1. Tracy A. Clemans
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Correspondence to Tracy A. Clemans.

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Ethics Approval

Research approval to conduct the study was granted by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Consent to Participate

Participants meeting eligibility criteria were invited to participate in the study and completed either informed consent (those 18 years of age or older) or assent (those under 18 years of age) processes. There were no participants who resided with their biological parents as the participants were living in a residential treatment center, therefore parental consent was not possible; however, guardian permission was attained by the Clinical Director and CEO of the non-governmental organization (NGO) for participants who were minors.

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Participants provided consent to publish their data to a journal. No identifying data of study participants will be published.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Clemans, T.A., White, K.L., Fuessel-Herrmann, D. et al. Acceptability, Feasibility, and Preliminary Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Processing Therapy with Female Adolescent Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Cambodia. Journ Child Adol Trauma 14, 571–583 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-021-00405-6

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