Trauma rehabilitation for war-affected persons in northern Uganda: A pilot evaluation of the EMPOWER programme
Author(s)
Sonderegger, Robi
Rombouts, Sacha
Ocen, Benson
McKeever, Reyelle
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2011
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objectives. This study evaluated the impact of a culturally sensitive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)-based intervention (the EMPOWER programme) for waraffected persons in northern Uganda. Design. The study conducted a pilot evaluation with a convenience sample of participants from internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps (i.e., a treatment camp and waitlist control camp). This was done to avoid treatment effects spreading from the intervention to control conditions. Methods. A total of 202 participants (N = 90 treatment participants and N = 112 control participants) were included as a convenience sample. The ...
View more >Objectives. This study evaluated the impact of a culturally sensitive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)-based intervention (the EMPOWER programme) for waraffected persons in northern Uganda. Design. The study conducted a pilot evaluation with a convenience sample of participants from internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps (i.e., a treatment camp and waitlist control camp). This was done to avoid treatment effects spreading from the intervention to control conditions. Methods. A total of 202 participants (N = 90 treatment participants and N = 112 control participants) were included as a convenience sample. The Acholi Psychosocial Assessment Instrument (APAI), a culturally appropriate measure of psychosocial functioning, was administered to participants residing in two IDP camps at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up. Participants in the treatment camp received the EMPOWER programme - a culturally sensitive CBT-based intervention teaching emotional resiliency and promoting forgiveness. Results. Participants in the treatment condition reported (a) significantly lower scores on the depression-like syndromes and the anxiety-like syndrome and (b) significantly more prosocial behaviours, than participants in the control condition. Conclusions. The results of this study provide initial support for the application of structured CBT interventions in war-affected areas, illustrating that the EMPOWER programme could be utilized by humanitarian agencies to address the psychosocial needs of war-affected displaced persons.
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View more >Objectives. This study evaluated the impact of a culturally sensitive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)-based intervention (the EMPOWER programme) for waraffected persons in northern Uganda. Design. The study conducted a pilot evaluation with a convenience sample of participants from internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps (i.e., a treatment camp and waitlist control camp). This was done to avoid treatment effects spreading from the intervention to control conditions. Methods. A total of 202 participants (N = 90 treatment participants and N = 112 control participants) were included as a convenience sample. The Acholi Psychosocial Assessment Instrument (APAI), a culturally appropriate measure of psychosocial functioning, was administered to participants residing in two IDP camps at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up. Participants in the treatment camp received the EMPOWER programme - a culturally sensitive CBT-based intervention teaching emotional resiliency and promoting forgiveness. Results. Participants in the treatment condition reported (a) significantly lower scores on the depression-like syndromes and the anxiety-like syndrome and (b) significantly more prosocial behaviours, than participants in the control condition. Conclusions. The results of this study provide initial support for the application of structured CBT interventions in war-affected areas, illustrating that the EMPOWER programme could be utilized by humanitarian agencies to address the psychosocial needs of war-affected displaced persons.
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Journal Title
British Journal of Clinical Psychology
Volume
50
Issue
3
Subject
Psychology not elsewhere classified
Psychology
Cognitive Sciences