, Parisa Nematzadehsude2 , Shohreh Sakhikhani3 , Hakimeh Jafari4 , Esmat Savadi *5
2- Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
3- Educational Sciences Department, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, East Azerbaijan, Iran
4- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Tehran Branch, University of Research Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5- Faculty member, Department of Islamic Studies, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran ,
Introduction: Difficulties in interpersonal communication, self-concept, hopelessness, and distrust of others—commonly observed among sexually abused children—highlight the need for research and targeted interventions in this area.
Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of transtheoretical cognitive therapy and systematic eye movement desensitization therapy on insecure attachment style, spiritual adjustment, and personality traits of sexually abused children.
Method: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments and a control group was used. The study population included all sexually abused children aged 7–10 years in Tehran, Tabriz, and Sari in 2024. A total of 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two intervention groups and a control group (15 participants per group). The first intervention group received transtheoretical cognitive therapy in eight 45-minute sessions, while the second intervention group received systematic eye movement desensitization therapy in six 45-minute sessions. The control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Interpersonal Relationships Questionnaire, the Five-Factor Personality Questionnaire, and the Spiritual Adjustment Scale. Data analysis was conducted using ANCOVA, ANOVA, and independent t-tests at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The findings indicated significant differences between both intervention groups and the control group in post-test scores of insecure attachment styles, spiritual adjustment, and personality traits (P ≤ 0.005). However, there was no significant difference between the transtheoretical cognitive therapy group and the systematic eye movement desensitization therapy group in insecure attachment style at post-test (P = 0.502, F = 0.46).
Conclusion: Both systematic eye movement desensitization therapy and transtheoretical cognitive therapy were effective in improving children’s interpersonal relationships, enhancing spiritual adjustment, and fostering a greater sense of belonging and connection to spiritual meaning. These interventions may therefore serve as beneficial therapeutic approaches for sexually abused children.
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