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Group crisis intervention for children during ongoing war conflict

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry volume 14, pages 262–269 (2005)Cite this article

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Al Quds University, School of Public Health, Gaza, Palestine

    Abdel Aziz Thabet

  2. Greenwood Institute of Child Health Westcotes House, Westcotes Drive, Leicester LE3 OQU, UK

    Panos Vostanis & Khalid Karim

Authors
  1. Abdel Aziz Thabet
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  2. Panos Vostanis
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  3. Khalid Karim
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Correspondence to Panos Vostanis.

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Thabet, A.A., Vostanis, P. & Karim, K. Group crisis intervention for children during ongoing war conflict. Europ.Child & Adolescent Psych 14, 262–269 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-005-0466-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-005-0466-7

Key words

  • child
  • trauma
  • war
  • PTSD
  • treatment