Intervention Strategies for Victims of Sexual Abuse: A Model for Building Self-Esteem 1,2

Abstract

This article begins by explaining the devastating effects of child sexual abuse on the self-esteem of its victims. Intervention strategies are discussed with a focus on a self-esteem model — the SEAs Program — developed by psychologist James Messina. This program uses trained psychotherapists and group members to expand each survivor's support system. Cognitive and experiential techniques are implemented in a humanistic framework to help clients recover from low self-esteem. Preliminary results from an outcome study utilizing three measures of self esteem and coping strategies (the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, the Need for Harmony Scale and Spielberger's Anger Expression Scale) suggest that this model shows promise in helping women who are survivors of child sexual abuse to build healthy self-esteem and warrants further investigation.

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