A behavioral intervention for war-affected youth in Sierra Leone: A randomized controlled trial

T.S. Betancourt, R.K. McBain, Elizabeth Newnham, A.M. Akinsulure-Smith, R.T. Brennan, J.R. Weisz, N.B. Hansen

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103 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective
Youth in war-affected regions are at risk for poor psychological, social, and educational outcomes. Effective interventions are needed to improve mental health, social behavior, and school functioning. This randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness of a 10-session cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)–based group mental health intervention for multisymptomatic war-affected youth (aged 15–24 years) in Sierra Leone.

Method
War-affected youth identified by elevated distress and impairment via community screening were randomized (stratified by sex and age) to the Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI) (n = 222) or to a control condition (n = 214). After treatment, youth were again randomized and offered an education subsidy immediately (n = 220) or waitlisted (n = 216). Emotion regulation, psychological distress, prosocial attitudes/behaviors, social support, functional impairment, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed at pre- and postintervention and at 6-month follow-up. For youth in school, enrollment, attendance, and classroom performance were assessed after 8 months. Linear mixed-effects regressions evaluated outcomes.

Results
The YRI showed significant postintervention effects on emotion regulation, prosocial attitudes/behaviors, social support, and reduced functional impairment, and significant follow-up effects on school enrollment, school attendance, and classroom behavior. In contrast, education subsidy was associated with better attendance but had no effect on mental health or functioning, school retention, or classroom behavior. Interactions between education subsidy and YRI were not significant.

Conclusion
YRI produced acute improvements in mental health and functioning as well as longer-term effects on school engagement and behavior, suggesting potential to prepare war-affected youth for educational and other opportunities. Clinical trial registration information–Trial of the Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1288-1297
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume53
Issue number12
Early online date2 Oct 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

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