The effectiveness of mental health interventions for adult female survivors of sexual assault: A systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Objective Sexual assault is a common global problem and is associated with poor mental health. Given the high prevalence of sexual assault, it is important to understand which interventions may help survivors. This systematic review examines the effectiveness of mental health interventions for adult female survivors of sexual assault, focusing on 1) methods used to study the interventions; 2) effectiveness of interventions compared to no treatment; and 3) comparative effectiveness of interventions. Methods Published scientific literature was searched to identify manuscripts that investigated the effects of mental health interventions on adult female survivors of sexual assault. Articles were included if they: were in English, Spanish, or French; were published between January 1985 and December 2012; evaluated a mental health intervention; implemented the intervention with adult female survivors of sexual assault; evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention on mental health symptoms or diagnoses; and included a comparison group. Findings Cognitive-behavioral interventions, exposure interventions, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing interventions were typically more effective at improving mental health than no treatment. Statistical tests of comparative effectiveness did not demonstrate that one intervention was significantly more effective than another. Conclusions Health providers should refer survivors of sexual assault to mental health treatments shown to be effective. Additional research on comparative effectiveness of mental health interventions is warranted.