Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health
Volume 13, Issue 1, 2019

Trauma-focused group intervention for unaccompanied young refugees: "mein Weg" - Predictors of treatment outcomes and sustainability of treatment effects (Article) (Open Access)

Pfeiffer E.* , Sachser C. , Tutus D. , Fegert J.M. , Plener P.L.
  • a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm University, Steinhoevelstraße 5, Ulm, 89075, Germany
  • b Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm University, Steinhoevelstraße 5, Ulm, 89075, Germany
  • c Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm University, Steinhoevelstraße 5, Ulm, 89075, Germany
  • d Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm University, Steinhoevelstraße 5, Ulm, 89075, Germany
  • e Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm University, Steinhoevelstraße 5, Ulm, 89075, Germany, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria

Abstract

Background: Current research on treatment predictors and long-term effects of trauma-focused interventions for (unaccompanied) refugee minors is limited. This secondary analysis of a recent randomised controlled trial (RCT), evaluating the trauma-focused group intervention "Mein Weg" (English "My Way") compared to usual care, investigated several refugee-specific factors such as treatment predictors and sustainability of treatment gains. Methods: In total N = 50 participants (M age = 17.00, 94% male) were included in this analysis. Evaluation of 3-month follow-up data included: posttraumatic stress symptoms [(PTSS) CATS-Self, CATS-Care], depression (PHQ-8), and dysfunctional posttraumatic cognitions (CPTCI-S). Baseline symptom severity of the above-mentioned measures, trauma load and socio-demographic factors were investigated as the treatment predictors. Results: Intention-to-treat-analyses (ITT) revealed the sustainability of treatment effects in self-reported PTSS (pre to post change: 6.48 ± 1.60, d = 0.62, p < 0.001; post to 3-month follow-up change: 1.41 ± 1.96, d = 0.11, p = 0.47) and depression (pre to post change: 7.82 ± 2.09, d = 0.64, p < 0.001; post to 3-month follow-up change: 1.35 ± 2.17, d = 0.05, p = 0.54). Country of origin alone was a significant predictor of the change in PTSS (b = - 8.22 ± 3.53, t(30) = - 2.33, p = 0.027), and baseline levels of depression were a significant predictor of the change in depression (b = 0.83 ± 0.19, t(33) = 4.46, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This group intervention can serve as a valuable component in a stepped care approach with promising long-term effects for young refugees. Trial registration DRKS, #DRKS00010915. Registered 15 September 2016, https://www.drks.de/drks-web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL-ID=DRKS00010915 © 2019 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Trauma-focused group intervention Predictors of the treatment outcome Sustainability of treatment effects Refugees PTSD trauma

Index Keywords

depression refugee demography cognitive defect intention to treat analysis follow up sex ratio human single blind procedure psychologic assessment Self Report controlled study social aspect group therapy priority journal randomized controlled trial Patient Health Questionnaire 8 trauma focused group intervention Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen Self dysfunctional posttraumatic cognition predictor variable Young Adult Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen Care Child Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory Short Version Treatment Outcome Adolescent male female parallel design clinical article Article adult posttraumatic stress disorder disease severity program sustainability clinical effectiveness
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063733839&doi=10.1186%2fs13034-019-0277-0&partnerID=40&md5=abb794668905a0602e7b0cb0924b3eb2
DOI: 10.1186/s13034-019-0277-0
ISSN: 17532000
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English