TAFO study II (Task force) long-term evaluation of specific therapeutic early interventions following acute strain among children and adolescents with multiple trauma experience

Existing research into the after effects of traumatic experiences with regard to children and adolescents is scanty. Early intervention is intended to prevent or at least reduce chronic manifestation of acute traumatic strain (Zehnder, Hornung & Lanolt, 2006) since such strain has a negative impact on the child's day-to-day quality of life and overall development, including the development and functioning of the brain (Cohen, Perel, DeBellis, Friedman & Putnam, 2002). Studies of multiple trauma among adults and adolescents have shown that the severity of any impairment upon their psychological health must be seen in relation to the number of traumatic experiences that took place during childhood (Turner RJ, Lloyd DA 1995, Finkelhor D, Omrod RK, Turner HA 2007-1, Finkelhor D, Omrod RK, Turner HA 2007-11, Holt MK. Finkelhor D, Kantor CK 2007). In this process, interpersonal traumatic experiences such as accidents or severe illnesses can adversely affect development as much as traumatic exposure connected to elements of crime. Objectives: Interventions following acute traumatic strain will be examined with regard to the symptoms and the mental health of children and adolescents with multiple trauma experience in the long term. The study will examine whether early intervention has a positive effect on symptoms and whether such effects are of a short or long-term nature. The study should show whether gender specific and/or age specific correlation can be identified in the development of symptoms according to specific types of trauma, and whether risk groups can be identified as a result. The study will examine whether there exists an independent sub-group of children with multiple trauma under the age of 6, whose symptoms correspond to a developmental trauma disorder (van der Kolk 2005). Methods: The study will be divided into a retrospective and prospective part. The retrospective part will contain an examination of the treatment results of 150 children and adolescents with multiple trauma experiences in the Vestische Children's Clinic in Datteln between 2002 and 2009. This will be followed by an evaluation of the treatment results by way of a newly developed telephone catamnesis, based on validated questionnaires (CRIES-13, ILK, Telekat) for measurement points TI-T3 Results: First results of the retrospective examination of children and adolescents with multiple trauma experience will be presented in comparison to the results of the evaluation of specific therapeutic early interventions following acute strain among children and adolescents with mono trauma experience.

Conference

English

Ina Dieffenbach

Dieffenbach, I. (2010, June). TAFO study II (Task force) long-term evaluation of specific therapeutic early interventions following acute strain among children and adolescents with multiple trauma experience. Symposium conducted at the 11th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Hamburg, Germany