Effectiveness of EMDR in the treatment of child victims of domestic violence in Iran

The aim of the present control-trial study was to evaluate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of child victims of domestic violence (DV) in Iran. 77 students (39 girls and 38 boys) , aged 8-12 years old, who fulfilled inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to one of the two groups viz. , abuse centered EMDR (24 subjects) or waiting list (control; 53 subjects) conditions. Apparently EMDR was capable of substantially reducing children's symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems presenting in a school mental health setting. EMDR generated different gender incremental efficacy in treating psychological sequelae of victims of domestic violence. Methodological strengths of this investigation included the inclusion of control group, validated measures with clearly defined target symptoms, multiple sources to detect the impact of treatment on multiple symptom domains, random assignment to treatment condition, blind evaluation, detailed manual-guided treatment protocols, expert therapist training and field conditions and inclusion criteria supporting ecological validity. The present study had a number of limitations. Firstly, the relatively small number of participants and high dropped out rate may have resulted in a lack of sufficient power and sensitivity to detect between groups differences. Secondly, the study lacked follow-up assessments. Thirdly, overall parents’ attitude was not completely collaborative, so it might have caused more dropping out in both groups. School holidays started in the middle of treatment process which caused deficit observation of participants by teachers.

Conference

English

Nasrin Jaber Ghaderi

Ghaderi, N. (2014, January). Effectiveness of EMDR in the treatment of child victims of domestic violence in Iran. In EMDR for offenders/perpetrators/violence (Atara Sivan, Chair). Presentation at the 2nd EMDR Asia International Conference, Manila, The Philippines