Guided self-help following sexual assault - SCED
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Online guided self-help intervention for sexual distress following sexual assault: A single case experimental study
IRAS ID
313482
Contact name
Kimberley Khoo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
The proposed project is an evaluation of a new guided self-help intervention designed to support female survivors of sexual assault who experience difficulties with sex. Following sexual assault, it is common for women to experience difficulties with sex such as having pain during sex, feeling fearful of sex and having a reduced desire for sex. Survivors of sexual assault also experience more self-critical thoughts and feelings of shame. These difficulties make it difficult for women to return to sex and contribute to what the study defines as 'sexual distress’.
There is little support for survivors of sexual assault with sexual distress. Current therapies developed for sexual difficulties do not consider the effects of sexual trauma and similarly, standardised trauma treatment focus on alleviating trauma symptoms and not difficulties with sex.
The developed guided self-help materials aims to help women understand their difficulties, learn practical strategies and build confidence returning to sex. The intervention will be free to use and accessible using a mobile phone or laptop. There will be 4-sessions with 1 session completed weekly and measures are collected daily. The content is based on psychosexual and compassion-focused therapy ideas. The materials are also guided by a piloted group for sexual distress by Bart’s NHS trust Sexual Wellbeing Service. The intervention will be offered to women over the age of 18 with a history of sexual assault at least one year prior to recruitment who are not currently experiencing acute mental health difficulties. Measures assess levels of sexual distress, shame, motivation and self-compassion. Participants will also be asked to provide feedback on the intervention such as if they found it easy to follow. If the intervention reduces sexual distress and increases motivation, further research can be done to offer the intervention on a wider scale.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0658
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion