Citation

Jordans MJ, Komproe IH, Tol WA, Nsereko J, de Jong JT. Community Ment. Health J. 2013; 49(3): 354-367.

Affiliation

Research and Development Department, HealthNet TPO, Lizzy Ansinghstraat 163, 1072 RG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mark.jordans@hntpo.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10597-013-9591-9

PMID

23328929

Abstract

Studies into treatment processes in low-income settings are grossly lacking, which contributes to the scarcity of evidence-based psychosocial treatment. We conducted multiple n=1 studies, with quantitative outcome indicators (depression-, PTSD- and anxiety- symptoms, hope) and qualitative process indicators (treatment- perceptions, content and progress) measured before, during and after counseling. We aimed to explore commonalities in treatment processes associated with change profiles within and between cases. The study was conducted in South Sudan with children aged between 10 and 15 years. Change profiles were associated with the quality of the counselor-client relationship (instilling trust and hope through self-disclosure, supportive listening and advice giving), level of client activation, and the ability of the counselor to match treatment strategies to the client's problem presentation (trauma- and emotional processing, problem solving, cognitive strategies). With limited time, due to restricted resources in low-income settings, training courses can now be better focused on key treatment processes.

Language: en