Survivors of Sex Trafficking: Occupation-Based Intervention for Executive Functioning

Abstract

Persons traumatized through sex trafficking can demonstrate executive function (EF) deficits. We explored whether occupation-based (OB) interventions used with females who had been trafficked would improve EF skills. Eight women engaged programing over eight months. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT), and the Occupational Therapy Task Observation Scale (OTTOS) were used to measure occupational performance, EF skills, and task behaviors before and after intervention. Gains seen in occupational performance and task behavior were significant: t (7) = −2.49, p = .04, with large effect (d = 0.88). Findings suggest OB interventions may improve EF skills in sex-trafficked women.

Keywords:

• Executive function
• trafficking
• occupational performance

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the LSUHSC Occupational Therapy students from the classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018 that participated in the Eden House Capstone projects and opened their hearts and minds to individuals recovering from sex trafficking. Faculty members Barbara Doucet, Kelly Alig, Mark Blanchard, and Jo Thompson engaged in our writing group and made this document possible. I am a lucky to be a part of this group. Lauren Siegel, our Fieldwork II student, was instrumental in finalizing this document for publication. Last, I owe my gratitude to the women of Eden House and their willingness to share, grow, and trust in our belief in their independence.