Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Compassion-Focused Therapy to Treat the Consequences of Childhood Maltreatment in People With Psychiatric Disorders in France

Abstract

Childhood maltreatment contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders. Shame appears to be an important mediating factor. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) targets shame and seems relevant for adults with hard-to-treat psychiatric disorders associated with childhood maltreatment. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the feasibility and relevance of group CFT for this population and none in a French routine care setting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of group CFT for psychiatric disorders associated with childhood maltreatment. Eight adult patients with a history of childhood maltreatment participated in the 12-session group CFT. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed via a standardized satisfaction questionnaire, dropout rates, and attendance. Clinical benefits were assessed via changes in scores on scales of self-compassion, shame, and psychopathological dimensions. Adherence to therapy (75%) and attendance (88.3%) were high, and all participants reported high satisfaction. Posttreatment, self-compassion significantly increased (p = 0.016), and depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic scores decreased. Our study is the first to show that transdiagnostic group CFT (difficult-to-treat psychiatric disorders associated with a history of child maltreatment) is feasible in a French routine care setting. Changes in clinical scale scores after the intervention suggest the clinical value of the intervention and encourage further research of its effectiveness.