Group crisis intervention for children during ongoing war conflict
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term impact of a group crisis intervention for children aged 9-15 years from five refugee camps in the Gaza Strip during ongoing war conflict. Children were selected if they reported moderate to severe posttraumatic stress reactions, and were allocated to group intervention (N=47) encouraging expression of experiences and emotions through storytelling, drawing, free play and role-play; education about symptoms (N=22); or no intervention (N=42). Children completed the CPTSD-RI and the CDI pre- and post-intervention. No significant impact of the group intervention was established on children's posttraumatic or depressive symptoms. Possible explanations of the findings are discussed, including the continuing exposure to trauma and the non-active nature of the intervention.
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In a trial in the Gaza Strip, neither a seven-session group intervention nor a four-session education intervention had significant effects on children's PTSD or depression symptoms at three-month follow-up.
“At a three-month follow-up, neither intervention was found to have significant effects on children's PTSD or depression symptoms.”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [65]
Of two clinical trials and three RCTs of interventions in displacement locations, two RCTs met the review's inclusion criteria.
“Additionally, of two clinical trials63,64 and three RCTs56,65,67 of interventions delivered in locations of displacement, two RCTs met our inclusion criteria.”
From Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: linking practice and research (2011) · cites this paper as [64]
A clinical controlled trial with 9-15-year-olds in the occupied Palestinian territory found no effects of a debriefing intervention.
“A clinical controlled trial64 with 9–15-year-olds done in the occupied Palestinian territory showed no effects for a debriefing intervention.”
From Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: linking practice and research (2011) · cites this paper as [64]
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- Authors
- Thabet, A. A., Vostanis, P., & Karim, K.
- Affiliations
- Al-Quds University (PS)
- University of Leicester (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Vostanis, Panos
- Venue
- European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Published
- 2005-08
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 262-269
- ISSN
- 1018-8827 (ISSN-L)
- 1435-165X
- OpenAlex
- W2089220895
- Cited by
- 168
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 5.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Leicester Research Archive (University of Leicester) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Therapy and Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Keywords
- children in armed conflict, post-traumatic stress disorder, refugee camps, Gaza Strip, war trauma, depression, storytelling, role play, free play, arts-based interventions, trauma exposure
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Crisis Intervention, Depression, Education, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle East, Play and Playthings, Psychotherapy, Group, Refugees, Role Playing, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Warfare, Treatment Outcome
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