Perceived feasibility of group EMDR therapy among disaster-affected adolescents in Turkey: A convergent mixed-methods study

This study aimed to evaluate how symptom severity and psychological resilience influence adolescents’ perceptions of the feasibility of EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP).

Article Abstract

“Background: Adolescents exposed to natural disasters often develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite interest in group-based trauma therapies, the feasibility of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol among disaster-affected adolescents remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate how symptom severity and psychological resilience influence adolescents’ perceptions of the feasibility of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol. It also sought to identify key barriers and facilitators affecting adolescents’ willingness to participate in such interventions following natural disasters.

Methods: A total of 120 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years from earthquake- and flood-affected regions participated in a convergent mixed-methods study using stratified purposive sampling to ensure diversity in gender, exposure severity, and location. Participants completed the Revised Child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and a 15-item Feasibility Questionnaire for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol. Quantitative data were analyzed using bivariate correlations and linear regression. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions about perceived barriers and facilitators were analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Results: Adolescents with higher levels of post-traumatic stress reported lower feasibility scores (r = -0.47, p < 0.01), while those with higher resilience perceived the intervention as more acceptable (r = 0.35, p < 0.01). Significant differences were found in feasibility and resilience based on PTSD severity groups (p = 0.005 and p = 0.036, respectively). Key barriers included emotional dysregulation, confidentiality concerns, and scheduling difficulties. Facilitators included peer support and the presence of structured preparatory guidance.

Conclusions: Perceived feasibility of group-based Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is shaped by trauma severity and resilience. Psychoeducational preparation, logistical flexibility, and attention to emotional safety are essential to support adolescent engagement in post-disaster mental health interventions.

Trial registration: This study was not prospectively registered, as it does not constitute a clinical trial. It was conducted as an observational, non-interventional mixed-methods feasibility study assessing adolescents’ pre-intervention perceptions of group-based EMDR therapy. No therapeutic outcomes were evaluated, and no participants were assigned to treatment conditions. In accordance with Turkish regulations, observational studies involving human participants require ethical approval but are not subject to mandatory trial registration. Ethical approval was obtained from the Toros University Ethics Committee.”

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Article Access

Open Access 

Cokluk, G. F. (2026). Perceived feasibility of group EMDR therapy among disaster-affected adolescents in Turkey: A convergent mixed-methods study. BMC Psychiatry, Early Access. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-026-08163-1

About the Journal

“BMC Psychiatry is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that encompasses a wide range of topics, including psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and psychosocial approaches to psychiatric disorders, as well as genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology research.”

—Description from publisher