Citation

Stewart RW, Orengo-Aguayo R, Wallace M, Metzger IW, Rheingold AA. J. Interpers. Violence 2019; ePub(ePub): 886260519831380.

Affiliation

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260519831380

PMID

30827141

Abstract

African American youth are disproportionately represented among trauma-exposed youth; yet, they are significantly less likely to access and complete mental health services. Research suggests that barriers to accessing and engaging in trauma-focused treatment include both logistical factors and engagement factors. This multiple case study sought to illustrate the initial feasibility and acceptability of delivering culturally tailored, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) via telehealth in a school setting with three African American youth presenting with multiple barriers to accessing treatment. Barriers to treatment, telehealth modifications, and cultural tailoring are described for each participant. The UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI) was completed at pretreatment and posttreatment.

RESULTS demonstrated significant decreases in symptoms of posttraumatic stress, as evidenced by a reduction in total UCLA PTSD-RI scores to nonclinical levels for all participants at posttreatment (UCLA scores posttreatment = 8-12). In addition, at posttreatment no participants met diagnostic criteria for PTSD or adjustment disorder. This multiple case study provides preliminary support for school-based, culturally tailored TF-CBT delivered via telehealth with African American youth.

Language: en

Keywords

PTSD; child abuse; treatment; treatment/intervention