A compassionate intervention for individuals with problematic sexual interests: Group and individual outcomes in the UK

Journal article

Jordan Clayton, Kerensa Hocken and Nicholas Blagden 2022. A compassionate intervention for individuals with problematic sexual interests: Group and individual outcomes in the UK. Abuse: An International Impact Journal. Vol 3 (Issue 2), pp. 4-23. https://doi.org/10.37576/abuse.2022.035
AuthorsJordan Clayton, Kerensa Hocken and Nicholas Blagden
Abstract

The present paper discusses one of the first free community-based therapeutic interventions (The Aurora Project) in the UK, for individuals who are distressed by their sexual thoughts and behaviour and/or concerned they are a potential risk to others. The clinical approach to working with this population takes a compassion-focused stance. This paper tracks progress pre-post intervention on various psychological wellbeing measures. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in self-esteem and social safeness, as well as a reduction in internalised shame. Reliable change index analyses indicated clinically significant group improvement in shame and self-esteem. Participants’ fears of compassion were unchanged as a group. Individual-level analyses of change are presented. Limitations of the study and implications for research and practice are then discussed.

KeywordsThe Aurora Project; Prevention;; Intervention; MAP; Compassion; Shame
Year2022
JournalAbuse: An International Impact Journal
Journal citationVol 3 (Issue 2), pp. 4-23
PublisherThree Quay Publishing
ISSN2633-8742
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.37576/abuse.2022.035
Web address (URL)http://dx.doi.org/10.37576/abuse.2022.035
Publication datesOct 2022
Publication process dates
Deposited24 May 2023
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