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Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 11, No. 4, 543-553 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1359104506067876
© 2006 SAGE Publications

Cognitive-behavioural Group Intervention for PTSD Symptoms in Children Following the Athens 1999 Earthquake: A Pilot Study

Ioanna Giannopoulou

NHS Community Mental Health Centre, Peristeri, Greece and Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

Anastasia Dikaiakou

NHS Community Mental Health Centre, Peristeri, Greece

William Yule

Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK

This study examined the effects of a short-term group cognitive-behavioural intervention in children who were experiencing PTSD symptoms following the Athens 1999 earthquake. Twenty children, aged 8-12 years, referred for treatment to a local child mental health team were assigned, depending on timing of referral to two groups - Group 1 ( N = 10), which started treatment 2 months after the earthquake and Group 2 ( N = 10), which started treatment at 4 months postearthquake. A statistically significant reduction in overall PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms across the three PTSD symptom clusters - intrusion, avoidance, and arousal - as well as in depressive symptoms was reported immediately after the intervention. The treatment also produced a statistically significant improvement in children’s psychosocial functioning. Further significant improvement was reported in children at an 18-month follow-up. Treatment gains were maintained at a 4-year follow-up. Despite several limitations to this study, short-term group CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy) was found to be a useful treatment approach, which can be offered in clinical settings, particularly if resources are limited.

Key Words: CBT • disaster • earthquake • group treatment • PTSD


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