NCJ Number
212018
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2005 Pages: 364-376
Date Published
November 2005
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article explores the development and maintenance of shame following experiences of child abuse and describes clinical interventions that may be effective in helping children overcome shame.
Abstract
Research has suggested that shame may be an important factor in how a child recovers from experiences of abuse. In order to contribute to the literature in this area and to shed light on possible treatment avenues, this article presents a conceptualization for how the emotion of shame may develop and be maintained in response to abuse. Research is reviewed on the impact of shame on the recovery of child abuse survivors as well as the dysfunctional attributes associated with the maintenance of shame. Interventions shown to help children overcome feelings of shame are described, which underscore the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral treatment models for working with child survivors of sexual abuse. This treatment model has also demonstrated effectiveness at treating posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, behavior problems, and dysfunctional abuse-related attributes. Future avenues for research are identified and include further investigation of the relationship between shame, posttraumatic symptoms, and depression in survivors of child physical abuse. References