Testing the Usefulness of an Electronic Therapeutic Game: An Intervention for Childhood Sexual Abuse
Date of Award
12-2025
Degree Type
Dissertation-Restricted
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Program
Counselor Education
Department
Curriculum and Instruction
Major Professor
Christopher Belser
Second Advisor
Zarus Watson
Third Advisor
Anabel Mifsud
Abstract
Abstract
Child sex abuse is a global concern and has lifelong impacts for survivors. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an app, the Therapeutic Game App for Child Sex Abuse (TGA for CSA). Themes from the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children, developed by John Briere, Ph.D., were used to guide the development of app questions. Additionally, participant demographics and attitudes toward technology were assessed. The study was based on a quantitative survey design, and data analyses included descriptives and correlational analyses. A total of 29 participants, licensed mental health professionals who work with the special population of survivors of child sex abuse (CSA), completed the app review and relevant survey questions. It was hypothesized that TGA for CSA would be found to be a useful intervention for clinicians working with CSA and that usefulness would be correlated with demographic variables such as age, education, percentage of CSA in the current work setting, and years of experience working with CSA. Lastly, the relationship between technology acceptance and usefulness ratings was explored. The hypothesis that the TGA for CSA was a useful intervention was supported. However, the only significant correlation between usefulness and demographic variables was education; the higher the level of education (i.e., doctorate versus master’s degree), the more likely participants found the app to be useful. Other non-significant correlational trends were also explored. Study implications and directions for future research were discussed.
Keywords: child sexual abuse, serious games, electronic games, mental health therapy, treatment
Recommended Citation
Green, Camellia, "Testing the Usefulness of an Electronic Therapeutic Game: An Intervention for Childhood Sexual Abuse" (2025). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 3312.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/3312
Rights
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