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Cited by 80Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMemory, Trauma, and TestimonyConflict, Peace, and Violence in Colombia

Testimony method to ameliorate post-traumatic stress symptoms: Community-based intervention study with Mozambican civil war survivors

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Igreja, Victor, Kleijn, Wim C., Schreuder, Bas J. N., Van Dijk, Janie A., Verschuur, Margot·2004·British Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1192/bjp.184.3.251
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Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of the testimony method has not been established in rural communities with survivors of prolonged civil war. Aims: To examine the effectiveness and feasibility of a testimony method to ameliorate post-traumatic stress symptoms. Method: Participants (n=206) belonged to former war zones in Mozambique. They were divided into a case (n= 137) and a non-case group (n=69). The case group was randomly divided into an intervention (n=66) and a control group (n=71). Symptoms were measured during baseline assessment, post-intervention and at an 11-month follow-up. Results: Post-intervention measurements demonstrated significant symptom reduction in both the intervention and the control group. No significant differences were found between the intervention and the control group. Follow-up measurements showed sustained lower levels of symptoms in both groups, and some indications of a positive intervention effect in women. Conclusions: A remarkable drop in symptoms could not be linked directly to the intervention. Feasibility of the intervention was good, but controlling the intervention in a small rural community appeared to be a difficult task to accomplish.

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  • The seven adult studies included control-focused behavioural treatment for earthquake survivors in Turkey, a parenting intervention, testimony therapy in Mozambique, trauma healing and reconciliation workshops in Burundi, and narrative exposure therapy for refugees in Uganda and orphans and widows in Rwanda.

    “The seven studies in adults consisted of a control-focused behavioural treatment of earthquake survivors in Turkey (self-exposure to earthquake-related fears and cessation of avoidance to increase their sense of control),50–52 the aforementioned parenting intervention (weekly group meetings to discuss parent–child interactions and coping strategies),56 testimony therapy for war-affected people in”

    From Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: linking practice and research (2011) · cites this paper as [74]

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Authors
Igreja, V., Kleijn, W. C., Schreuder, B. J. N., Van Dijk, J. A., & Verschuur, M.
Affiliations
  • Leiden University Medical Center (NL)
  • Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
  • Leiden University (NL)
Corresponding author
Igreja, Victor
ORCID
Igreja, Victor
Venue
British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Published
2004-03
Volume
184
Issue
3
Pages
251-257
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
DOI
10.1192/bjp.184.3.251
OpenAlex
W2108826685
Cited by
80
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
FWCI
4.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 5055 d)
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Memory, Trauma, and Testimony
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Conflict, Peace, and Violence in Colombia
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, war survivors, civil war, Mozambique, rural communities, intervention effectiveness, intervention feasibility, symptom relief, women
MeSH terms
Adult, Community Mental Health Services, Developing Countries, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mozambique, Psychotherapy, Rural Health, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Warfare, Treatment Outcome, Survivors, Narration

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