Effectiveness of Interventions Offered to Non-Offending Caregivers of Sexually Abused Children: A Meta-Analysis

Following the sexual abuse of a child, their non-offending caregivers (NOCs) need support in order to manage a double burden: Their own distress and that of the child. Among the scientific literature available, there is no systematic and exhaustive synthesis of existing studies that specifically document the effects of interventions with NOCs. This study aims to examine: (a) the effectiveness of these interventions on the NOCs and (b) the factors that influence this effectiveness. Method: A meta-analysis was performed based on studies including the NOCs of minor sexual abuse victims and reporting at least one NOC outcome. The outcomes reported, as well as study, intervention, and participant characteristics were coded. Eighteen studies documenting the effects of 24 interventions were included. Findings: Overall, the findings reveal a moderate significant effect of the interventions on the NOC. The effect differs significantly according to the outcome measured, ranging from small effect to large effect. The higher the number of NOC needs targeted by the intervention, the larger the effects on the NOC. Of the interventions involving the NOC and the child, those providing joint sessions are three times more effective than those that do not provide any. The moderators associated with study or participant characteristics do not influence the effect of the interventions on the NOC. Conclusion: This study suggests considering the diverse range of NOC-specific intervention needs in order to offer individualized support. More research is needed to understand the extent to which the timing of the intervention following the disclosure influences its effectiveness. Après l'agression sexuelle d'un enfant, l'adulte non-agresseur (ANO) qui en prend soin a besoin de soutien pour gérer deux fardeaux : sa détresse et celle de l'enfant. Parmi la documentation scientifique disponible, il n'y a aucune synthèse exhaustive des études actuelles qui documentent précisément les effets des interventions auprès des ANO. La présente étude a pour objectif d'examiner : a) l'efficacité de ces interventions pour les ANO; b) les facteurs qui influent sur cette efficacité. Méthode : On a réalisé une méta-analyse basée sur les études incluant les ANO de victimes mineures d'agressions sexuelles et rapportant au moins un résultat relatif aux ANO. Les résultats rapportés ainsi que l'étude, l'intervention et les caractéristiques des participants ont été codés. Ont été incluses 18 études ayant co