Pilot evaluation of a group stabilisation intervention for refugees and asylum seekers with PTSD. Issue 1 (21st January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griggs, Mary; Liu, Cheng; Cooper, Kate
• Is Part Of: Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy. Volume 50:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2022-01-21
• Subjects: asylum seeker -- PTSD -- refugee -- trauma; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S135246582100028X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4658

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly experienced by asylum seekers and refugees (ASR). Evidence supports the use of cognitive behavioural therapy-based treatments, but not in group format for this population. However, group-based treatments are frequently used as a first-line intervention in the UK. Aims: This study investigated the feasibility of delivering a group-based, manualised stabilisation course specifically developed for ASR. The second aim was to evaluate the use of routine outcome measures (ROMs) to capture psychological change in this population. Method: Eighty-two participants from 22 countries attended the 8-session Moving On After Trauma (MOAT) group-based stabilisation treatment. PHQ-9, GAD-7, IES-R and idiosyncratic outcomes were administered pre- and post-intervention. Results: Seventy-one per cent of participants ( n = 58) attended five or more of the treatment sessions. While completion rates of the ROMs were poor – measures were completed at pre- and post-intervention for 46% participants ( n = 38) – a repeated-measures MANOVA indicated significant improvements in depression ( p = .001, ηp 2 = .262), anxiety ( p = .000, ηp 2 = .390), PTSD ( p = .001, ηp 2 = .393) and idiosyncratic measures ( p = .000, ηp 2 = .593) following the intervention. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence indicates that ASR who attended a low-intensity, group-based stabilisation group for PTSD experienced lower mental health scores post-group, although the lack of a comparison group means these results should be interpreted with caution. There are significant challenges in administering ROMs to individuals who speak many different languages, in a group setting. Nonetheless, groups have benefits including efficiency of treatment delivery which should also be considered.