An analysis of the impact of ethnicity on treatment completion in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy
Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Master of Science in Counseling Marriage and Family TherapyThe impact of childhood trauma is well documented as negatively impacting multiple areas of a child's life, and that these effects can last into adulthood.It has also been well documented that early intervention and treatment is critical in mediating these effects.Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidenced based treatment that has been regarded as the treatment of choice for childhood trauma.However there has been limited research on the impact of ethnicity on the treatment completion rates.This study will examine the impact of ethnicity on treatment completion as well as the impact of ethnicity on the total number of TF -CBT sessions received.The population for the study was 55 children aged 4 to 18.The results show that there is no difference in ethnicity in treatment completion or in the total number of TF -CBT sessions completed.This implies that TF -CBT is equal across ethnicities in treatment completion rates, providing initial evidence that TF-CBT may be appropriate for culturally diverse clients.literature by exploring differences among children from various ethnicities receiving TF-CBT who terminated from treatment before completion.This research proposes the following hypothesis: Ethnicity will impact early treatment termination rates for those receiving TF-CBT.Specifically, it is expected that African Americans do not complete treatment in TF-CBT more often than non-African Americans, additionally that non-Caucasians do not complete treatment in TF-CBT more often than Caucasians.Further, it is expected that the total number of days of treatment in TF -CBT received will be less for African American and non-Caucasian children as it is expected for this group to drop out of treatment at a higher rate than Caucasian children. Significance of the StudyThe significance of this study is that it will provide a better understanding of the difference among ethnicities in early treatment termination rates for children receiving treatment in TF-CBT.This study will add to the current research in regards to the cultural competency ofTF-CBT. TerminologyTrauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): a short term evidenced based treatment model designed for implementation with children ages 3 to 18 with a history of childhood trauma.Treatment involves individual sessions with the child and parent separately as well as joint sessions with the child and parent together.Each individual session is designed to build the therapeutic • relationship while providing education, skills and a safe environment in which to address and process traumatic memories.Joint parent-child sessions are designed to help parents and children practice and use the skills they learned, while fostering more effective parentchild communication.(Child Welfare Information Center, 2007, p. 4).Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a type of anxiety disorder that is triggered by a traumatic event.Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop when an individual experiences or witnesses an event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror (The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).Children: for purposes of this study, children will refer to anyone between the ages of 0-18. Organization ofThesisChapter II explores the body of existin.g literature about childhood trauma, TF-CBT and its cultural implications.Chapter III discusses the methodology used in this study, describing the participants and the procedures involved in the overall design of the study.Chapter IV explains the results, while chapter V is the discussion of the study and includes observations of the results.There are several appendices included which indicate the statistical findings.
Author: Rodgers, Stephanie
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7055047819