Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: a multiple baseline case series (2024)

Van Es, C. M., Velu, M. E., Sleijpen, M. J. T., van der Aa, N., Boelen, P. A. (2023). Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: a multiple baseline case series. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1-13. Article 1125740. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740

Van Es, C.M. ; Velu, M.E. ; Sleijpen, M.J.T. et al. / Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors : a multiple baseline case series. In: Frontiers in Psychology. 2023 ; Vol. 14. pp. 1-13.

@article{eb562a81b7144c1490f6ab631873b76d,

title = "Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: a multiple baseline case series",

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 evaluated a multimodal trauma-focused 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{\textquoteright}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 trauma-focused treatments on URMs, and the implementation of treatments for URMs. Clinical trial registration: The study was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NL8519), 10 April 2020.",

keywords = "depression, mixed-methods, multiple baseline, posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma-focused treatment approach, unaccompanied refugee minors",

author = "{Van Es}, C.M. and M.E. Velu and M.J.T. Sleijpen and {van der Aa}, N. and P.A. Boelen and G.T.M. Mooren",

note = "Publisher Copyright: Copyright {\textcopyright} 2023 Van Es, Velu, Sleijpen, van der Aa, Boelen and Mooren.",

year = "2023",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740",

language = "English",

volume = "14",

pages = "1--13",

journal = "Frontiers in Psychology",

issn = "1664-1078",

publisher = "Frontiers Media S.A.",

}

Van Es, CM, Velu, ME, Sleijpen, MJT, van der Aa, N, Boelen, PA 2023, 'Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: a multiple baseline case series', Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, 1125740, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740

Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: a multiple baseline case series. / Van Es, C.M.; Velu, M.E.; Sleijpen, M.J.T. et al.
In: Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 14, 1125740, 01.06.2023, p. 1-13.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors

T2 - a multiple baseline case series

AU - Van Es, C.M.

AU - Velu, M.E.

AU - Sleijpen, M.J.T.

AU - van der Aa, N.

AU - Boelen, P.A.

AU - Mooren, G.T.M.

N1 - Publisher Copyright:Copyright © 2023 Van Es, Velu, Sleijpen, van der Aa, Boelen and Mooren.

PY - 2023/6/1

Y1 - 2023/6/1

N2 - 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 evaluated a multimodal trauma-focused 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 trauma-focused treatments on URMs, and the implementation of treatments for URMs. Clinical trial registration: The study was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NL8519), 10 April 2020.

AB - 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 evaluated a multimodal trauma-focused 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 trauma-focused treatments on URMs, and the implementation of treatments for URMs. Clinical trial registration: The study was registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NL8519), 10 April 2020.

KW - depression

KW - mixed-methods

KW - multiple baseline

KW - posttraumatic stress disorder

KW - trauma-focused treatment approach

KW - unaccompanied refugee minors

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U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740

DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85162053166

SN - 1664-1078

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JO - Frontiers in Psychology

JF - Frontiers in Psychology

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Van Es CM, Velu ME, Sleijpen MJT, van der Aa N, Boelen PA, Mooren GTM. Trauma-focused treatment for traumatic stress symptoms in unaccompanied refugee minors: a multiple baseline case series. Frontiers in Psychology. 2023 Jun 1;14:1-13. 1125740. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125740