Historical group debriefing after combat exposure.
BACKGROUND
Studies of group debriefing after extreme events have failed to show a significant long-term effect of this technique. However, the heterogeneity of the interventions studied and the length of time between debriefing and its assessment do not allow a proper interpretation of these findings.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the immediate effect of debriefing in Israeli soldiers exposed to combat.


METHODS
Six small units (N = 39) have undergone historical group debriefing within 72 hours of exposure. State anxiety, self-efficacy, and combat evaluation were measured before and immediately after the sessions.


RESULTS
Debriefing was followed by reduction in anxiety, improvement in self-efficacy, and increased homogeneity of the group.


CONCLUSIONS
These effects may be attributable to enhancing group cohesion or to a proper beneficial effect of debriefing.
Center for Traumatic Stress, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
A Y
AY
Shalev
T
T
Peri
Y
Y
Rogel-Fuchs
R J
RJ
Ursano
D
D
Marlowe
D003419:Crisis Intervention; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014857:Warfare