Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of individual trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and young people. Method: Following a 4-week symptom-monitoring baseline period, 24 children and young people (8Y18 years old) who met full DSM-IV PTSD diagnostic criteria after experiencing single-incident traumatic events (motor vehicle accidents, interpersonal violence, or witnessing violence) were randomly allocated to a 10-week course of individual CBT or to placement on a waitlist (WL) for 10 weeks. Results: Compared to the WL group, participants who received CBT showed significantly greater improvement in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, with significantly better functioning. After CBT, 92% of participants no longer met criteria for PTSD; after WL, 42% of participants no longer met criteria. CBT gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. Effects of CBT were partially mediated by changes in maladaptive cognitions, as predicted by cognitive models of PTSD. Conclusions: Individual trauma-focused CBT is an effective treatment for PTSD in children and young people.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1051-1061 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Psychology
Free keywords
- cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
