Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2024 Sep 16:13591045241272838. doi: 10.1177/13591045241272838. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Black and Latino youth are disproportionately affected by trauma from community violence, but to date, few data support the benefit of evidence-based treatments for these youth or of including peer support to engage these youth in mental health services.

OBJECTIVE: From 2018 until 2020, a hospital and community-based violence intervention program in Philadelphia pilot tested the integration of home and community-based Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with peer services and case management for youth impacted by community violence. This study describes the implementation of this intervention.

METHOD: Data was gathered by querying the program’s database. The Child Post Traumatic Stress Symptom Severity Scale (CPSS-SR-5) and the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) were utilized to evaluate the participants’ pre- and post-intervention assessment of PTSD and depression. The sample (N = 50) consisted of Black and Latino youth, mean age 14.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine (58%) completed TF-CBT, and 82% met peer and case management goals. Youth who completed therapy showed significant improvement in both PTSD and depression symptoms at post-test.

CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the implementation of home and community-based TF-CBT with peer support and case management. The study’s limitations and need for further research are discussed.

PMID:39284709 | DOI:10.1177/13591045241272838