Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: A multiple baseline case series
Unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) are at increased risk of developing mental health problems, such as symptoms of PTSD and depression.
Article Abstract
“Introduction: Unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) are at increased risk of developing mental health problems, such as symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In addition, URMs face several barriers to mental health care. Few studies have evaluated trauma-focused interventions for URMs that target these issues. The current study valuated a multimodal traumafocused treatment approach for URMs. It aimed to provide an initial indication of the effectiveness of this treatment approach and to provide a qualitative evaluation assessing treatment satisfaction of the participating URMs.
Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted among ten URMs, combining quantitative data with qualitative data through triangulation. Quantitative data were collected using a non-concurrent multiple baseline design in which repeated, weekly assessments were carried out during a randomized baseline period, during treatment, and during a 4-week follow-up period. Questionnaires assessing PTSD (Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale) and symptoms of depression (The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, modified for adolescents) were used. In addition, treatment satisfaction was measured post-treatment using a semi-structured interview.
Results: During the qualitative evaluation, all but one URM noted they found the trauma-focused treatment approach useful and felt the treatment had positively impacted their wellbeing. However, the results of the quantitative evaluation did not show clinically reliable symptom reductions at posttest or follow-up. Implications for clinical practice and research are discussed.
Discussion: The current study presents our search in developing a treatment approach for URMs. It adds to the current knowledge about methodological considerations in evaluating treatments for URMs, the potential effects of traumafocused treatments on URMs, and the implementation of treatments for URMs.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Van Es, C. M., Velu, M. E., Sleijpen, M., van der Aa, N., Boelen, P. A., & Mooren, T. (2023). Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: A multiple baseline case series. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740
Date
June 1, 2023
Creator(s)
Carlijn Maria Van Es, Merel E. Velu, Marieke Sleijpen
Contributor(s)
Niels van der Aa, Paul A. Boelen, Trudy Mooren
Client Population
Adolescents, Children, Immigrants/Refugees
Extent
13 pages
Publisher
Frontiers
Rights
© 2023 Van Es, Velu, Sleijpen, van der Aa, Boelen and Mooren. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original
author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted
academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
APA Citation
Van Es, C. M., Velu, M. E., Sleijpen, M., van der Aa, N., Boelen, P. A., & Mooren, T. (2023). Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: A multiple baseline case series. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
