Citation

Giannopoulou I, Dikaiakou A, Yule W. Clin. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 2006; 11(4): 543-553.

Affiliation

NHS Community Mental Health Centre, Peristeri, Greece and Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. ioannag@mycosmos.gr

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17163223

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a short-term group cognitive-behavioural intervention in children who were experiencing PTSD symptoms following the Athens 1999 earthquake. Twenty children, aged 8-12 years, referred for treatment to a local child mental health team were assigned, depending on timing of referral to two groups-- Group 1 (N = 10), which started treatment 2 months after the earthquake and Group 2 (N = 10), which started treatment at 4 months postearthquake. A statistically significant reduction in overall PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms across the three PTSD symptom clusters - intrusion, avoidance, and arousal--as well as in depressive symptoms was reported immediately after the intervention. The treatment also produced a statistically significant improvement in children's psychosocial functioning. Further significant improvement was reported in children at an 18-month follow-up. Treatment gains were maintained at a 4-year follow-up. Despite several limitations to this study, short-term group CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy) was found to be a useful treatment approach, which can be offered in clinical settings, particularly if resources are limited.

Language: en