The Treatment of PTSD in Children and Adolescents and the Relationship with Trauma-Related Cognitions

Smith, Charlotte (2023) The Treatment of PTSD in Children and Adolescents and the Relationship with Trauma-Related Cognitions. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

Background: PTSD is a debilitating mental health condition that develops following trauma. It is now understood that for children who have experienced trauma, multiple trauma exposure is more common than exposure to an isolated event (Doba et al, 2022). Current treatment approaches for PTSD are largely based on trials that have recruited samples of children with single-incident PTSD (Meiser-Stedman et al, 2017). This thesis focuses on the treatment of children with multiple trauma PTSD. It examines the extent to which current psychological treatments for child PTSD target a key mechanism proposed by the cognitive model of PTSD (shifting trauma-related appraisals). Trauma-related appraisals tend to be stronger and more dysfunctional in children with multiple trauma PTSD (Kube et al, 2023).

Methods: This thesis presents a systematic review with meta-analysis (SRMA) investigating the extent to which current psychological treatments for child PTSD reduce negative trauma-related appraisals. The second paper is a case series study (n= 9) investigating the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of an existing treatment (cognitive therapy for PTSD; CT-PTSD) in children with multiple trauma PTSD. Preliminary outcomes demonstrated in this sample and putative cognitive mechanisms involved in treatment are also investigated.

Results: The case series indicates that CT-PTSD is a safe, acceptable, and feasible treatment for children with multiple trauma PTSD. Preliminary treatment outcomes were encouraging and demonstrated large shifts in the putative mechanisms held as key by the cognitive model (e.g trauma-related. appraisals , thought suppression). The SRMA identified a medium-large effect size of current psychological treatments for child PTSD on negative trauma-related appraisals.

Conclusions: The case series suggests that a larger randomized trial of the efficacy of CT-PTSD in children with multiple trauma PTSD is warranted. The preliminary outcomes suggest that an adapted form of an existing treatment approach (CT-PTSD) may be a suitable treatment option for this subgroup. The SRMA found that the current range of psychological treatments for child PTSD significantly reduce trauma-related appraisals. These findings provide additional support for the cognitive model of PTSD and specifically, the cognitive-specificity hypothesis. They also provide support for the suitability of existing treatment approaches in treating children with more complex and severe forms of PTSD (e.g. multiple-trauma PTSD, complex PTSD)

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2023 12:21
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2023 12:21
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/93605
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item