Crisis intervention program for children and adolescents (CIPCA)‎ to prevent posttraumatic psychopathology : preliminary report

Abstract EN

Background and objectives Despite devastating psychopathology after childhood trauma, no evidence-based prevention has been identified.

After the Islamic State (IS) war in Iraq and Syria, a group intervention program is provided to the internally displaced and refugee children, in attempt to prevent posttraumatic psychopathology, and to identify children who need special care.

Methods A Crisis Intervention Program for Children and Adolescents is developed by the author.

Three instruments (Crisis Expression Guidelines, Crisis Screening Instrument, and Modified Family Map) are delivered through Training of Trainers (ToT) to help the displaced and refugee children (6-11 and 12-18 years) within a one-hour group session (10-30 children) express thoughts and emotions related to the war crises, and to screen for further care.

Results In a pilot project, 37 professionals working with children applied to the ToT course، and 300 IDP teachers completed training to provide CIPCA to the Internally Displaced People (IDP) and refugee children in the temporary camps in the region.

In a pilot project, 315 children received the CIPCA, and a further 67500 school children are waiting for the intervention when the schools start in the IDP camps.

Screening revealed 15.2% of the participating children need individual assessment.

Conclusion CIPCA is applicable as a cost and time effective crisis intervention to IDP and refugee children of IS war.

Further expansion of the program is planned.

Follow-up will evaluate the preventive effect of CIPCA.