Research and practice use of the CECA
The CECA has been used in a large number of research contexts.
Although its original purpose to examine lifespan factors in the genesis
of depression and anxiety disorders, it has since been used to study
a range of clinical disorders (e.g. conduct disorders, substance abuse,
bi-polar disorder, personality disorders and schizophrenia and psychotic
symptoms). Results show that childhood adversity increase risk of many
such disorders, with causal models developed to explore mediating and
moderating disorders specific to different outcomes.
The CECA interview has also been used internationally, not only in the
USA and Canada, but also in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Germany, and
therefore exists in translation.
Increasingly the CECA is being used as an assessment tool in clinical,
forensic and social work practice. For example, ongoing action research
by the Lifespan Research Group with St Christopher’s Fellowship
(www.stchris.org.uk)
is utilising the CECA in assessing young people in residential care
as part of their SHARP intervention and scoring information from both
interviews and case file information. This together with face-to-face
interview on their attachment style and self-esteem allows for a comprehensive
coverage of their psychosocial risks and resilience factors.
An evaluation
is currently underway of the use of the CECA in Royal Borough of Kingston's
Child Safeguarding Services. The study has trained 8 social workers
in the CECA and is examining how it can be used to inform chronologies
for court proceedings and the categorization of maltreatment and severity
ratings for care planning. The study will be complete in August 2010.
Additional information can be provided on request
CECA REFERENCES - LIFESPAN
RESEARCH GROUP
