SEE FAR CBT Therapy for Children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder under Prolonged Political Conflict
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: There has thus far been insufficient discussion of the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in schoolchildren experiencing ongoing missile attacks or prolonged political conflict. The aims of the present study were to investigate the ability of SEE FAR CBT Therapy for Children (SEE FAR CBT-C), an individual intervention protocol for children, in reducing PTSD symptoms and increase resiliency and general self-efficacy during ongoing criseses. Method: Children (n = 25, ages 8-13) with significant clinical PTSD receiving individual SEE FAR CBT treatment, were compared to age-matched controls (n = 20) who participated in school-based intervention. Results: Compared to the school-based intervention, SEE FAR CBT was significantly more effective at reducing PTSD severity post-treatment as well as at the follow-up assessment (ηp2 = 0.15), including lowering intrusion, avoidance and arousal symptoms, and somatic complaints. In addition, SEE FAR CBT enhance ego-resiliency over time, while general self-efficacy significantly increased among both groups. Conclusions: Under repeated exposure to political conflict, both group and individual intervention may be helpful in alleviating posttraumatic symptoms and somatic complaints among school children, however, SEE FAR CBT-C produces a stronger therapeutic effect on PTSD and ego-resiliency phenomena. Findings are discussed in light of existing literature. Practical implications for therapists working with children and adolescents under prolonged security threat conditions are presented.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2507744591