title: Mental health interventions and priorities for research for adult survivors of torture and systematic violence: a review of the literature.
abstract: This research describes the development and findings of a literature review and analysis meant to inform the international torture and trauma treatment community. The review focuses on interventions that have been used among populations affected by torture, based on a review of journals indexed in commonly used search engines. Work on the review began in September 2008 and continued to be updated until March 2014. In total, 88 studies of interventions for torture victims were identified. Studies ranged from randomized controlled trials utilizing evidence-based treatments to case studies employing non-structured, supportive therapies. Based on the results of the analysis, we have included recommendations for interventions that demonstrate effectiveness in treating survivors of torture and other systematic violence who suffer from PTSD, depression and anxiety. Priorities for mental health research for survivors of torture and other systematic violence are also recommended.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, USA. Correspondence to pbolton@ihu.edu.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ugueto
authors.forename: Zayan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mahmooth
authors.forename: Laura K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nadison
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vazzano
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bolton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012106:Research; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*