Trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) for interpersonal trauma in transitional-aged youth.

Abstract

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following interpersonal trauma in transitional-aged youth (TAY), aged 15 to 25, is highly prevalent; however, evidence-based interventions have rarely been studied. Method: A single-group pre-/posttest study was conducted at headspace Sunshine, Melbourne, Australia, evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, safety, tolerability, and potential clinical effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). Results: An intent-to-treat analysis was conducted for N = 20 participants (65% female, n = 13) who attended a mean of 15 TF-CBT sessions over 25 weeks. At the end of treatment, only 1 of the 16 participants with a baseline PTSD diagnosis still met diagnostic criteria. Significant improvements were also noted for self-report measures of PTSD (d = –.83), anxiety (d = –.74), and depression (d = –.76). A minority of participants reported a brief exacerbation in symptoms of PTSD (n = 8) and anxiety and depression (n = 5) during stabilization and directly before and/or after the trauma-narration phase. However, all symptoms resolved at the end of treatment. The majority of participants (85%, n = 17) rated the intervention as helpful. Conclusion: Regardless of the expected temporary symptom exacerbation, the results indicated that TF-CBT was safe, tolerable, and acceptable. Transitional-aged youth is an emerging area of research. With limited research available on this age group to inform evidence-based practice, it is recommended that a randomized controlled trial is conducted to determine if TF-CBT (Cohen et al., 2017) can be effectively translated to this underresearched age group.

Subjective distress, self-harm, and suicidal ideation or behavior throughout trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy in transitional age youth.

“…Any “yes” answer was further analyzed to examine the incident's intent (i.e., self-harm, suicide attempt). For a complete description of outcome measures and instruments, see Peters et al (2021).…”

“…As such, there is a need to understand session-based and phase-based changes in distress, self-harm, and suicidal ideation or behavior. Using data from the pilot study of TF-CBT in TAY (Peters et al, 2021), this article aims to investigate the (a) level of elevated distress, (b) self-harm, and (c) suicidal thoughts and behavior throughout sessions and across the three phases of TF-CBT.…”

“…However, little research has examined TF-CBT's utility and effectiveness for transitional age youth (TAY; age range = 15-25 years). One exception is the study by Peters et al (2021), who evaluated TF-CBT in TAY who reported exposure to interpersonal trauma. In this study, TF-CBT was reported to be acceptable and feasible, with significant posttreatment improvements in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.…”

Severe and complex youth depression: Clinical and historical features of young people attending a tertiary mood disorders clinic

“…Childhood maltreatment is associated with elevated suicide risk amongst inpatients (Pompili et al, 2014) and amongst youth cohorts in the general community (Angelakis et al, 2020; Rice et al, 2018b), with cumulative (e.g., four of more) maltreatment exposure types enhancing the risk of suicide attempt by a factor of 12.2; Adjusted OR 95% CI 8.5–17.5 (Felitti et al, 1998). Of note, young people experiencing MDD and suicide risk with a background of trauma exposure respond better when caregivers are integrated into treatment (Diamond et al, 2012), though in practise with emerging adults (e.g., 18–25 years), parent integration into treatment may not be overly feasible (e.g., Peters et al, 2021). Taken together with the relatively high rates of social isolation (particularly amongst males within the present study), and the likely assumptions these young people may hold regarding others, exploration and application of relational psychotherapy intervention models that go beyond standard cognitive behavioural approaches appears indicated.…”

The Effect of Violent and Melodrama Movies on Risky Decision-making and Behavioral Inhibition in Adolescents

“…Various studies and researches show that adolescents acceptingly TV allow violence, and acts of violent behavior are evident in their behavior (Liu, Huang, & Zhou, 2020;Peters et al, 2021).…”