TY - JOUR
T1 - Searching for Best Practices
T2 - A Systematic Inquiry Into the Nature of Psychosocial Interventions Aimed at Reducing the Mental Health Burden in Conflict and Postconflict Settings
AU - Pedersen, Duncan
AU - Kienzler, Hanna
AU - Guzder, Jaswant
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Despite a growing body of literature, substantial variance remains between researchers, mental health experts, clinicians, and practitioners over the nature, structure, and contents of psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing the mental health burden in war-torn and postconflict societies. We conducted a focused and systematic review of the literature published over the last two decades on the most commonly used psychotherapeutic treatment modalities in medical and humanitarian interventions as represented by expert opinion, observational and qualitative or mixed-method studies, case reports, case control, and community-based studies, excluding randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs. More specifically, we aimed at searching for best practices and supporting psychosocial interventions within the domain of adult mental health in civilian populations in low- and middle-income countries affected by protracted political violence, armed conflict, and wars. We noted the need to translate existing knowledge into action (know-do gap) and the critical importance of applying qualitative evidence-based knowledge that informs and supports collective interventions and best practices in medical and humanitarian assistance programs currently being undertaken.
AB - Despite a growing body of literature, substantial variance remains between researchers, mental health experts, clinicians, and practitioners over the nature, structure, and contents of psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing the mental health burden in war-torn and postconflict societies. We conducted a focused and systematic review of the literature published over the last two decades on the most commonly used psychotherapeutic treatment modalities in medical and humanitarian interventions as represented by expert opinion, observational and qualitative or mixed-method studies, case reports, case control, and community-based studies, excluding randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs. More specifically, we aimed at searching for best practices and supporting psychosocial interventions within the domain of adult mental health in civilian populations in low- and middle-income countries affected by protracted political violence, armed conflict, and wars. We noted the need to translate existing knowledge into action (know-do gap) and the critical importance of applying qualitative evidence-based knowledge that informs and supports collective interventions and best practices in medical and humanitarian assistance programs currently being undertaken.
U2 - 10.1177/2158244015615164
DO - 10.1177/2158244015615164
M3 - Article
SN - 2158-2440
VL - 5
SP - 1
EP - 25
JO - SAGE Open
JF - SAGE Open
IS - 4
ER -
