Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy: Cultural adaptations for application in Jordanian culture

Abstract

The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to test the feasibility and acceptability of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as implemented by Jordanian counselors working in child protection organizations and schools, and (2) to examine the effect of TF-CBT on reducing the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression symptomatology of a sample of Children with Abuse Histories in Jordan. Methods: Ten experts and four children counselors were involved in the feasibility study. Eighteen abused children referred from Community Local Organizations associated with PTSD symptoms and depression, were randomly assigned to control and TF-CBT groups. The repeated measures design and thematic content analysis method were used for analyzing qualitative and quantitative results. Results: The results indicated the possibility of implementing TF-CBT in Jordanian culture. Most TF-CBT components were accepted and evaluated positively by children, parents, and children counselors. The descriptive statistics demonstrated significant post-treatment improvements for the TF-CBT group in all outcome measures and sustainability of the treatment gains for the TF-CBT group at 4 months follow-up. The study results support other reports on the rapid effects of TF-CBT intervention on abused children with PTSD and depression.

Keywords:

• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
• adaptation and feasibility
• PTSD
• depression
• children with abuse histories
• Jordanian application

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the children and parents who participated in the study and Mr Mahumoud Michael Rock from Australia for his effort and support in editing and reviewing this paper.