Balancing Positive Outcomes with Vicarious Traumatization: Participants' Experiences with Group Treatment for Long-Term Effects of Childhood Abuse

A total of 30 adult survivors of childhood abuse were interviewed approximately 6 months after completing a 6-week inpatient program for traumatic stress recovery. Their progress was assessed by standardized instruments that measured PTSD symptoms, general psychiatric symptoms, trauma-related beliefs, and self-esteem at discharge, 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment. Most interviewees spoke positively about their treatment experience, and were …