Focused psychosocial interventions for children in low-resource humanitarian settings
Citation: Purgato M, Gross AL, Betancourt T, et al. Focused psychosocial interventions for children in low-resource humanitarian settings: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Lancet Global Health. 2018;6(4):e390-400.
Language: Abstract and full text available in EN.
Free to view: Yes.
Funding sources: European Commission FP7 Framework Programme for Research (Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship) and National Institute on Aging.
What is this? Psychosocial support interventions are used for children exposed to traumatic events in humanitarian settings.
In this systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis, the authors searched for randomised trials of psychosocial support interventions for children (7 to 18 years) exposed to traumatic events in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). They included 11 trials and meta-analysed individual participant data for 2871 children. The trials were from Burundi (1 study), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1), Gaza Strip (1), Indonesia (1), Kosovo (1), Nepal (1), Rwanda (1), Sierra Leone (1), Sri Lanka (1) and Uganda (2).
What was found: Focused psychosocial interventions reduce PTSD and functional impairment, and increase hope, coping and social support in children aged 7 to 18 years who have been exposed to traumatic events in LMICs.
There was stronger improvement in PTSD symptoms in children aged 15 to 18 years, non-displaced children and children living in smaller households.
Future research should focus on the effects of psychosocial interventions for younger children, displaced children and children living in larger households.
Implications: Focused psychosocial interventions are effective for children exposed to traumatic events in LMICs.
Other considerations: The authors of the review discussed their findings in the context of place of residence.
This summary was prepared by Joly Ghanawi, edited by Mike Clarke and finalized by Mike Clarke.
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