title: Cognitive-behavioural group intervention for PTSD symptoms in children following the Athens 1999 earthquake: a pilot study.
abstract: This study examined the effects of a short-term group cognitive-behavioural intervention in children who were experiencing PTSD symptoms following the Athens 1999 earthquake. Twenty children, aged 8-12 years, referred for treatment to a local child mental health team were assigned, depending on timing of referral to two groups-- Group 1 (N = 10), which started treatment 2 months after the earthquake and Group 2 (N = 10), which started treatment at 4 months postearthquake. A statistically significant reduction in overall PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms across the three PTSD symptom clusters - intrusion, avoidance, and arousal--as well as in depressive symptoms was reported immediately after the intervention. The treatment also produced a statistically significant improvement in children's psychosocial functioning. Further significant improvement was reported in children at an 18-month follow-up. Treatment gains were maintained at a 4-year follow-up. Despite several limitations to this study, short-term group CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy) was found to be a useful treatment approach, which can be offered in clinical settings, particularly if resources are limited.
authors.affiliation: NHS Community Mental Health Centre, Peristeri, Greece and Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. ioannag@mycosmos.gr
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Giannopoulou
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dikaiakou
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yule
mesh_terms: D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome