Citation

Jordans MJD, Tol WA, Komproe IH, De Jong JVTM. Child Adolesc. Ment. Health 2009; 14(1): 2-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1475-3588.2008.00515.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background: There is a growing body of literature on interventions addressing psychosocial wellbeing and mental health of children affected by violence in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Methods: This systematic review of PubMed, PsychINFO, and PILOTS identified 500 publications (1991–2008) on interventions.

Results: Sixty‐six publications (12 treatment outcome studies and 54 intervention descriptions, covering a range of treatment modalities) met inclusion criteria. Most interventions are evaluated positively, while some studies lack evidence for efficacy and effectiveness.

Conclusion: Scarcity of rigorous studies, diversity of interventions, and mixed results of evaluations demonstrate a need to identify evidence‐based interventions. The literature presents consensus on a number of treatment‐related issues, yet the application remains limited across interventions.