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This study examined the effects of a short-term group cognitive-behavioural intervention in children who were experiencing PTSD symptoms following the Athens 1999 earthquake. Twenty children, aged 8-12 years, referred for treatment to a local child mental health team were assigned, depending on timing of referral to two groups-- Group 1 (N = 10), which started treatment 2 months after the earthquake and Group 2 (N = 10), which started treatment at 4 months postearthquake. A statistically significant reduction in overall PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms across the three PTSD symptom clusters - intrusion, avoidance, and arousal--as well as in depressive symptoms was reported immediately after the intervention. The treatment also produced a statistically significant improvement in children's psychosocial functioning. Further significant improvement was reported in children at an 18-month follow-up. Treatment gains were maintained at a 4-year follow-up. Despite several limitations to this study, short-term group CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy) was found to be a useful treatment approach, which can be offered in clinical settings, particularly if resources are limited.

This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in 1,468 adolescents, 6 months after a wildfire. The rate of probable PTSD was 29.4% and 20% for probable depression. Findings on predisaster, disaster-related, and postdisaster factors revealed that disaster-related factors-specifically objective and perceived threat to self and others-were associated with symptoms of PTSD but not depression. Predisaster life events, postdisaster losses, and escape-oriented coping strategies were associated with higher levels of both PTSD and depression symptoms, while control-oriented coping and perceived social support were differentially associated with symptoms of and depression. Findings have implications for the assessment and treatment of traumatized and depressed adolescents after a disaster.

This article discusses cultural considerations and approaches to working with bereaved immigrants who cope with traumatic loss. A clinical case is used to elaborate on issues related to cultural identity, level of acculturation as well as religious beliefs and rituals among Filipinos living in Greece. Considerations for clinicians, who provide services to culturally diverse families that experience traumatic deaths, are discussed.

Background and Purpose:This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Revised Death Attitude Profile (DAP-R) in a sample of Greek nurses and nursing students.Methods:A convenience sample (n = 934) was used from six National Health System hospitals, and two University Schools of Nursing in central and northern Greece completed the Greek version of the DAP-R (Gr-DAP-R).Results:Principal component analysis with varimax rotation revealed a six-factor solution, including approach acceptance, death avoidance, escape acceptance, neutral acceptance, fear of death, and after death concerns. The internal consistency for each of the subscales ranged from 0.64 to 0.88. Intercorrelations between the Gr-DAP-R subscales supported the relative independence of death attitudes dimensions.Conclusions:The Gr-DAP-R can be used as a research and clinical tool in assessing death attitudes among Greek nurses.