Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Volume 45, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 97-109

'I Can't Concentrate': A Feasibility Study with Young Refugees in Sweden on Developing Science-Driven Interventions for Intrusive Memories Related to Trauma (Article) (Open Access)

Holmes E.A.* , Ghaderi A. , Eriksson E. , Lauri K.O. , Kukacka O.M. , Mamish M. , James E.L. , Visser R.M.
  • a Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom
  • b Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom
  • d Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom
  • e Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom
  • f Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom
  • g Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom
  • h Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, K8, Psychology Unit, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden, Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Forced Migration Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom, London School of Economics, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: The number of refugees is the highest ever worldwide. Many have experienced trauma in home countries or on their escape which has mental health sequelae. Intrusive memories comprise distressing scenes of trauma which spring to mind unbidden. Development of novel scalable psychological interventions is needed urgently. Aims: We propose that brief cognitive science-driven interventions should be developed which pinpoint a focal symptom alongside a means to monitor it using behavioural techniques. The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the methodology required to develop such an intervention. Method: In this study we recruited 22 refugees (16-25 years), predominantly from Syria and residing in Sweden. Participants were asked to monitor the frequency of intrusive memories of trauma using a daily diary; rate intrusions and concentration; and complete a 1-session behavioural intervention involving Tetris game-play via smartphone. Results: Frequency of intrusive memories was high, and associated with high levels of distress and impaired concentration. Levels of engagement with study procedures were highly promising. Conclusions: The current work opens the way for developing novel cognitive behavioural approaches for traumatized refugees that are mechanistically derived, freely available and internationally scalable. Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2017.

Author Keywords

intrusive memories Refugees concentration psychological trauma

Index Keywords

refugee memory mental health human Refugees cognitive therapy Feasibility Studies procedures Young Adult Sweden Humans psychology Adolescent male female feasibility study adult Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Mental Recall attention recall
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85013679895&doi=10.1017%2fS135246581600062X&partnerID=40&md5=9f6526beb89302d2c0a1c7850bdce704
DOI: 10.1017/S135246581600062X
ISSN: 13524658
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English