Date of Award

10-2022

Document Type

Doctoral Research Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences

First Advisor

Demara B. Bennett

Second Advisor

Patrick J. Aragon

Third Advisor

Theodore G. Petersen

Fourth Advisor

Robert Taylor

Abstract

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment approach for children suffering from trauma-related symptoms (; Cohen et al., 2018 Cohen et al., 2022; de Arellano et al., 2014; Slalom et al., 2022). Throughout treatment, the primary focus is to reduce the negative symptoms after experiencing a traumatic life event (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2012). The role of hope in the aftermath of trauma survivors has been supported as a strength contributing to the well-being of the individual (Munoz et al., 2020). However, research has not yet examined the role of hope as a predictor of completing trauma-focused treatment. This study aimed to examine the role that hope plays throughout treatment and establish the relationship between hope levels throughout treatment (at the onset, after six months, upon completion) and treatment outcomes. Using longitudinal data collected from survivors of child sexual abuse and their non-offending family members, this study examined participants' levels of hope throughout treatment and used correlational analyses to establish the relationship of hope to posttraumatic symptoms. Analyses showed that hope did not have a significant predictive value of treatment outcome or posttraumatic symptoms. Potential explanations for these results and implications for future research are discussed.

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