1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« There were two aims: first, to evaluate the feasibility of applying a standard assessment protocol to Franco-Quebec victims of child sexual abuse and nonoffending mothers; second, to compare results from an initial sample with available data from English-speaking samples. » (p. 9)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
- 48 confirmed victims and 40 nonoffending mothers;
- 9 youth protection workers from the districts of Lanaudière and Mauricie Bois-Francs.

Instruments :
Instruments for victims :
- The Child Sexual Behavior Inventory --version III (CSBI) to be completed by the mother or primary caretaker. This questionnaire assesses sexual bahavior in children aged 2 to 12 using data on CSA victims from at least 8 studies;
- Child Behavior Checklist Parent Report Form (CBCL) measures the social competence and behavior problems of children aged 2 to 17;
- Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) measure of depression, developed for children aged 8 to 17;
- The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC).
Instruments for the mothers of victims :
- Psychiatric Symptom Index (PSI) evaluates symptoms of mental health disturbance in the week prior to the evaluation;
- The Impact of Events Scale (IES) evaluate the severity of symptoms of post-traumatic stress on the dimensions of avoidance and intrusion;
- An Adapatation of the Incest History Questionnaire assesses the family experiences of the mother during childhood and adolescence;
- The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) is a measure of global couple adjustment;
- The Parental Reaction to Abuse Disclosure Scale (PRADS) measures four dimensions of parental support following disclosure of sexual abuse.
For youth protection workers :
CSA assessment protocol: this 21 items instrument was developed by the present team to assess the worker’s level of satisfaction with various components of the assessment protocol.

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« The protocol was favorably received by the Child protection Service workers, supervisors and all mothers and victims. Percentage of clinically distressed victims varied from highs of 68% on the externalization difficulties of the Child Behavior Checklist and 67% for 2 to 6-year-olds on the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory, to low of 10% on hostility symptoms and 13% on the Dissociation Scale of the Trauma Symptom Check for children. The rate of symptom free children was lower (19%) and that of revictimization higher (30%) than most published estimates. Most mothers reported elevated emotional distress (depression 59%) and symptoms of post-traumatic stress (intrusiveness, 67%). Although 87% of mothers believed the allegation, only 45% offered adequate emotional support. The implementation phase of this research was successful, given the positive reactions of workers and clients. Results on standard intruments from this French-speaking sample were similar to profiles of English-speaking victims and their mothers but firm conclusions on appropriate norms will require larger samples, cross-cultural contrasts, and the evaluation of additional variables. » (p. 10)