Treatment processes of counseling for children in South Sudan: a multiple n=1 design

TY - JOUR

T1 - Treatment processes of counseling for children in South Sudan

T2 - a multiple n=1 design

AU - Jordans, M J D

AU - Komproe, I H

AU - Tol, W A

AU - Nsereko, J

AU - de Jong, J T V M

PY - 2013/6

Y1 - 2013/6

N2 - Studies into treatment processes in low-income settings are grossly lacking, which contributes to the scarcity of evidence-based psychosocial treatment. We conducted multiple n=1 studies, with quantitative outcome indicators (depression-, PTSD- and anxiety- symptoms, hope) and qualitative process indicators (treatment- perceptions, content and progress) measured before, during and after counseling. We aimed to explore commonalities in treatment processes associated with change profiles within and between cases. The study was conducted in South Sudan with children aged between 10 and 15 years. Change profiles were associated with the quality of the counselor-client relationship (instilling trust and hope through self-disclosure, supportive listening and advice giving), level of client activation, and the ability of the counselor to match treatment strategies to the client's problem presentation (trauma- and emotional processing, problem solving, cognitive strategies). With limited time, due to restricted resources in low-income settings, training courses can now be better focused on key treatment processes.

AB - Studies into treatment processes in low-income settings are grossly lacking, which contributes to the scarcity of evidence-based psychosocial treatment. We conducted multiple n=1 studies, with quantitative outcome indicators (depression-, PTSD- and anxiety- symptoms, hope) and qualitative process indicators (treatment- perceptions, content and progress) measured before, during and after counseling. We aimed to explore commonalities in treatment processes associated with change profiles within and between cases. The study was conducted in South Sudan with children aged between 10 and 15 years. Change profiles were associated with the quality of the counselor-client relationship (instilling trust and hope through self-disclosure, supportive listening and advice giving), level of client activation, and the ability of the counselor to match treatment strategies to the client's problem presentation (trauma- and emotional processing, problem solving, cognitive strategies). With limited time, due to restricted resources in low-income settings, training courses can now be better focused on key treatment processes.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Child

KW - Counseling

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

KW - Sudan

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Treatment Outcome

U2 - 10.1007/s10597-013-9591-9

DO - 10.1007/s10597-013-9591-9

M3 - Article

C2 - 23328929

SN - 0010-3853

VL - 49

SP - 354

EP - 367

JO - Community Mental Health Journal

JF - Community Mental Health Journal

IS - 3

ER -