Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Group Treatment With War-Exposed Bosnian Adolescents

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Depression; Grief (Traumatic Grief and Existential Grief)

• Registration Number: NCT00480480
• Lead Sponsor: Brigham Young University

Brief Summary

Context: This is the first multi-site randomized controlled study of the effectiveness of a group treatment for war-exposed adolescents delivered in-country within a public school system.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a trauma/grief-focused group treatment program in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and traumatic grief in war-exposed Bosnian youths attending 10 secondary schools located in Central Bosnia.

Detailed Description

Design: A randomized controlled trial conducted during the 2000-2001 school year, with 4-month follow-up, compared group treatment to a psychoeducation/skill-based school milieu intervention.

Setting and Participants: Students attending 10 Bosnian secondary schools exposed to severe trauma, traumatic loss, and severe adversity, reporting severe persisting symptoms of PTSD, depression, or traumatic grief, and functional impairment.

Intervention: Students were randomly assigned to either 17-session Trauma and Grief Component Therapy (n=71), or a school milieu intervention (n=73), both conducted by trained school counselors.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2000-09
• Study Completion: 2001-10
• Status Verified: 2007-05
• Study First Submitted: 2007-05-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-05-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2007-05-30
• Study First Posted: 2007-05-31
• Last Update Posted: 2007-05-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 144

Inclusion Criteria

• Significant trauma exposure before, during, or after the war (e.g., serious physical injury, life threat, witnessing death or serious injury, traumatic bereavement);
• Significant current distress, especially severe persisting symptoms of PTSD, depression, or traumatic grief;
• Significant functional impairment in family or peer relationships and school performance

Exclusion Criteria

• Acute risk status (e.g., suicidal plans and intent)
• Psychosis
• Severe substance abuse (severe enough to interfere with engagement in treatment).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
UCLA PTSD Reaction Index	Pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 4-month follow-up
Depression Self-Rating Scale	Pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 4-month follow-up
UCLA Grief Scale	Pre-treatment, post-treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Cognitive Distortions Scale	Pre-treatment and post-treatment
War Exposure Index	Pre-treatment (screening survey)
Post-War Adversities Scale	Pre-treatment (screening survey)
Trauma Reminder Screening Scale	Pre-treatment (screening survey)
Loss Reminder Screening Scale	Pre-treatment (screening survey)
Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Somatic and Interpersonal Problems Subscales)	Pre- and post-treatment