The data behind the dissemination: A systematic review of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for use with children and youth

Colleen E. Cary and J. Curtis McMillen

Children and Youth Services Review, 2012, vol. 34, issue 4, 748-757

Abstract: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is one of the most widely disseminated mental health interventions for children and youth. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the evidence of TF-CBT's ability to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression and behavior problems in children and youth who have survived trauma. A search was conducted to locate studies that evaluated TF-CBT or interventions highly similar to TF-CBT. Ten studies (twelve articles) were selected for inclusion in three sets of meta-analyses. Findings were consistent amongst meta-analyses; pooled estimates were similar whether we were analyzing the effects of interventions that were highly similar to TF-CBT, or if we were exclusively analyzing the effects of the branded intervention. Results show that there is a significant difference between the TFCBT condition and comparison conditions in its ability to reduce symptoms of PTSD (g=.671), depression (g=.378) and behavior problems (g=.247) immediately after treatment completion. This difference held for PTSD at twelve months after treatment completion (.389) but did not hold for depression or behavior problems. There was not a significant difference between the TF-CBT condition and alternative active control conditions immediately after treatment completion. Therefore, TF-CBT is an effective intervention for the treatment of PTSD in youth.

Keywords: TF-CBT; Post-traumatic stress; Depression; Behavior problems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:34:y:2012:i:4:p:748-757

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.01.003

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