Systemic interventions for traumatic event exposure: A 2010–2019 decade review

Abstract

Trauma exposure is a pervasive issue worldwide. People exposed to traumatic events may develop PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms. Family and intimate partner relationship problems also are frequently associated with trauma exposure. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic research synthesis of the empirical evidence on systemic interventions for traumatic event exposure from 2010 to 2019. A search of peer-reviewed research resulted in 31 articles that met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Systemic interventions were grouped by modality (e.g., parent-child, couple, group). The collective evidence was strongest for systemic youth-caregiver interventions, group, and couple treatment categories for traumatic event exposure. Youth-centered interventions that included various combinations of family member participation can be considered probably efficacious. Overall, results indicated that systemic interventions for traumatic event exposure were successful in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and improving relational outcomes.

Reducing mental health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse populations: A review of couple and family intervention research methods (2010–2019)

“…We reviewed outcome research studies published from 2010 to 2019 in English-language journals, focusing specifically on the collection of studies included within 11 articles in this special issue. Studies were reviewed across the following mental health topics: infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH; Kaminski et al, 2022), disruptive behavior problems (Sheidow et al, 2022), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Babinski & Sibley, 2022), anxiety disorders (Goger & Weersing, 2022), depressive and bipolar disorders , suicidal ideation and behavior (Frey et al, 2022), substance use disorders (Hogue et al, 2022), traumatic event exposure (McWey, 2022), intimate partner violence and child maltreatment (Stith et al, 2022), couple relationship education (Markman et al, 2022), and couple relationship distress (Doss et al, 2022). Although physical health was also featured in the special issue (Lamson et al, 2022), we did not review physical health interventions as we considered these interventions to have important methodological differences meriting their own review.…”

Psychological interventions for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties aged 5–12 years: An evidence review

“…Cognitive processing therapy (CPT), behavioural therapy, individual TF-CBT, and group TF-CBT were found to be effective compared to controls, however, there is a limited evidence base and need for further research with different populations. McWey (2022) reviewed interventions for trauma (in children and adolescents) that focused on couple of family-and partner-based relational processes. The author found that so-called systemic interventions reduced posttraumatic stress symptoms in young people.…”

Post-traumatic stress disorder: a psychiatric disorder requiring urgent attention

“…Individuals with PTSD must experience TEs and then exhibit negative symptoms lasting for more than 1 month before being diagnosed. Exposure to a TE results in a high risk of developing PTSD, and systemic therapeutic interventions for TE exposure can successfully reduce PTSD and related symptoms [ 114 ]. Studies have also found significant associations or “dose-response” relationships between TEs (e.g., physical violence) and PTSD symptom severity.…”