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Reducing Risk for Severe Mental Illness in Sexually Assaulted Adolescents Principal Investigator: Carla Danielson, Ph.D. <bio sketch> < e-mail > Empirical investigations have consistently indicated a significant relationship between trauma and severe mental illness. Specifically, research has demonstrated that sexually assaulted adolescents are at greater risk for developing a range of negative life outcomes, impacting psychological, social, and physical functioning. PTSD and Major Depression are a few of the primary psychiatric conditions for which CSA victims are at risk. Given that adolescence is a time of increasing risk for sexual assault, as well as a time of life when sexual assault can lead to psychiatric illness and its devastating effects, it is essential that empirical investigations target improving early intervention and treatment strategies for this population. Thus, the project goal is to evaluate the initial efficacy of Risk Reduction through Family Therapy (RRFT). RRFT is an early intensive intervention for sexually assaulted adolescents, which utilizes an ecological approach to reduce risk for severe mental illness and substance abuse. Participants will be 12-14 year old adolescents (N=40) who report having been sexually assaulted and have a memory of the assault. The participants will be recruited from community-based clinics specializing in the assessment and treatment of sexual and physical assault victims and their families. A randomized controlled trial design will be implemented to compare adolescents receiving RRFT with those who receive standard care in the community. It is hypothesized that adolescents receiving RRFT will report significantly less symptoms and improved family functioning at the post-treatment and follow-up assessments than adolescents who do not receive the intervention. Return to Current Grants
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