Trauma-Focused Early Intensive Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (TF-EICBI) in children and adolescent survivors of suicide bombing attacks (SBAs). A preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and evaluate the impact of an early intervention (Trauma-Focused Early Intensive Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, TF-EICBI) in children and adolescents who were victims of suicide bombing attacks (SBAs) in Israel.


METHODS
Description of an intervention and preliminary experience in its use.


METHODS
An acute trauma center of a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit in a Department of Psychiatry of a university-affiliated medical center.


METHODS
Ten children and adolescents who were victims of SBAs and underwent early interventions (EIG) were compared to 11 adolescent victims who received no intervention (NEIG). The EIG included all the children and adolescent survivors of various SBAs that had occurred during 1 year who presented to our hospital after the TF-EICBI was implemented (June 2001). The NEIG comprised all adolescents girls <18 years of age at follow-up who survived one SBA (at the "Dolphinarium" Discotheque) before the TF-EICBI was available.


METHODS
At the time of the 1-year post-SBA follow-up, all 21 subjects were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis 1 DSMIII R Disorders (SCID), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).


RESULTS
One (10 percent) EI subject and four (36.4 percent) NEI subjects had post-traumatic stress disorder. The mean CBCL total score and most of the mean CBCL behavior problem scores were significantly higher (p < 0.021) among the NEI group members.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention was effective in preventing and lowering mental morbidity of children and adolescents after SBAs.
Child and Adolescent Acute Trauma Center, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine,Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Agnes
A
Leor
Department of Psychiatry, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Orna T
OT
Dolberg
Department of Social Work, Zefat Academic College, Zefat, Israel; The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Shira Pagorek
SP
Eshel
Departments of Social Work and Education, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee 12210, Israel.
Yaron
Y
Yagil
Department of Psychiatry, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Shaul
S
Schreiber
D000293:Adolescent; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D054042:Bombs; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013405:Suicide; D023481:Terrorism / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors