Treatment Outcomes of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Earthquake-Related Distress

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2025-02-14 DOI:10.1002/capr.70002

Cate F. Woods, Virginia V. W. McIntosh, Christopher M. Frampton, Frances A. Carter, Helen C. Colhoun, Jennifer Jordan, Rebekah A. Smith, Caroline Bell

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Abstract

Background

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but few studies have examined its effectiveness among individuals exposed to natural disasters. Group CBT could be an efficient way to treat disaster-related PTSD, but it is unclear how the outcome of group and individual formats compare.

Aims

The current study used a non-controlled design to examine CBT outcomes among adults with severe, ongoing earthquake-related distress and a non-randomised design to compare the outcomes of group and individual CBT.

Materials & Methods

Participants were 175 adults with earthquake-related PTSD or adjustment disorder consecutively referred for treatment at a specialist mental health service between one and four and a half years post-earthquake. Participants completed a diagnostic interview and self-report measures pertaining to PTSD severity; depression, anxiety, and stress; fear and avoidance; social adjustment; aggression; and resilience before and after treatment.

Results

Following treatment, 92.3% of participants (with available interview data) no longer met criteria for their primary earthquake-related disorder (PTSD or adjustment disorder), and significant reductions in PTSD severity were observed. Following treatment, participants had significantly fewer mental disorders, less depression, anxiety, stress, fear, avoidance, and aggression, and greater social adjustment and resilience. Treatment format (group vs. individual) and timing of treatment presentation were not associated with any treatment outcomes of interest.

Conclusion

Findings suggest CBT is effective for individuals exposed to natural disasters when delivered in real-world post-disaster settings. Group CBT is an efficient way to treat large numbers of people using limited resources, strengthening the rationale for group treatment following natural disasters.

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.