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Treatment Processes of Counseling for Children in South Sudan: A Multiple n = 1 Design

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Abstract

Studies into treatment processes in low-income settings are grossly lacking, which contributes to the scarcity of evidence-based psychosocial treatment. We conducted multiple n = 1 studies, with quantitative outcome indicators (depression-, PTSD- and anxiety- symptoms, hope) and qualitative process indicators (treatment- perceptions, content and progress) measured before, during and after counseling. We aimed to explore commonalities in treatment processes associated with change profiles within and between cases. The study was conducted in South Sudan with children aged between 10 and 15 years. Change profiles were associated with the quality of the counselor-client relationship (instilling trust and hope through self-disclosure, supportive listening and advice giving), level of client activation, and the ability of the counselor to match treatment strategies to the client’s problem presentation (trauma- and emotional processing, problem solving, cognitive strategies). With limited time, due to restricted resources in low-income settings, training courses can now be better focused on key treatment processes.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Eva Smallegange for her contributions to this study. This study was financed by a grant from PLAN Netherlands.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors have any competing interests to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Development Department, HealthNet TPO, Lizzy Ansinghstraat 163, 1072 RG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. J. D. Jordans, I. H. Komproe & W. A. Tol

  2. Country Office, HealthNet TPO, Yei, South Sudan

    J. Nsereko

  3. VU University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. T. V. M. de Jong

  4. Center for Global Mental Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    M. J. D. Jordans

  5. Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    I. H. Komproe

  6. Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    W. A. Tol

  7. School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    J. T. V. M. de Jong

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  1. M. J. D. Jordans
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Correspondence to M. J. D. Jordans.

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Jordans, M.J.D., Komproe, I.H., Tol, W.A. et al. Treatment Processes of Counseling for Children in South Sudan: A Multiple n = 1 Design. Community Ment Health J 49, 354–367 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9591-9

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