Evaluation of group-based interventions among conflict-affected people in the East of Ukraine.
Description
Military actions in the East of Ukraine have been continuing many years. Approximately 200,000 people reside within 5 kilometres of the 500-kilometre of the demarcation line and in the situation of protracted traumatic events due to ongoing military conflict. For the purpose of psychological support for the local population, we used Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) [1], as well as the Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) [4]. The research idea was to evaluate these interventions and find out which combination of group interventions gives us the best effect over a month (5 sessions).
Method
Within the framework of the project ‘Psychosocial support for people affected by the military conflict in Ukraine’ we conduct groups in villages and towns near the demarcation line. All residents of these communities were eligible to participate. They were approached by local specialists and signed research consent forms. Each group were randomly assigned as SPR, G-TEP-1 (4 sessions of SPR + 1 G-TEP session), G-TEP-2 (3 SPR sessions + 2 G-TEP), G-TEP-3 (2 SPR sessions + 3 G-TEP), G-TEP-4 (1 stabilization session + 4 G-TEP), or Control group (varied group work: art, language, etcetera). The primary outcome measure was PCL-5. Secondary measures were: BDI, BAI, WHO-5 and BRS. The symptomatological assessments were performed at 2 timepoints: baseline (T0) and after treatment in 4-5 weeks (T1). Inclusion criteria was a score of at least 10 on PCL-5.
Results
Data collection is currently running, and two condition (G-TEP-3 and G-TEP-4) will be analyzed. Current 293 adult participants were approached, agreed to participate and were randomly allocated to control (N= 144) and G-TEP (N=149) groups. In turn, control groups were randomly assigned as Control (N=55) and SPR (N=89) groups. Also, G-TEP groups were randomly assigned as G-TEP-1 (N=75) and G-TEP-2 (N=74) groups. One hundred eighty-one participants, 89 in the EMDR groups and 92 in the control groups, were included in the completers analysis. Analysis of the results showed that the SPR and all G-TEP groups had significantly lower PTSD and depression symptoms after intervention (p<0.01), but not in the control group (PCL, p=0.722). In addition, there were a noticeable increase of WHO-5 and BRS.
Conclusion
This study indicates that both G-TEP EMDR and SPR protocols are associated with a reduction of psychological trauma symptoms and increasing quality of life of military conflict-affected people.
Method
Within the framework of the project ‘Psychosocial support for people affected by the military conflict in Ukraine’ we conduct groups in villages and towns near the demarcation line. All residents of these communities were eligible to participate. They were approached by local specialists and signed research consent forms. Each group were randomly assigned as SPR, G-TEP-1 (4 sessions of SPR + 1 G-TEP session), G-TEP-2 (3 SPR sessions + 2 G-TEP), G-TEP-3 (2 SPR sessions + 3 G-TEP), G-TEP-4 (1 stabilization session + 4 G-TEP), or Control group (varied group work: art, language, etcetera). The primary outcome measure was PCL-5. Secondary measures were: BDI, BAI, WHO-5 and BRS. The symptomatological assessments were performed at 2 timepoints: baseline (T0) and after treatment in 4-5 weeks (T1). Inclusion criteria was a score of at least 10 on PCL-5.
Results
Data collection is currently running, and two condition (G-TEP-3 and G-TEP-4) will be analyzed. Current 293 adult participants were approached, agreed to participate and were randomly allocated to control (N= 144) and G-TEP (N=149) groups. In turn, control groups were randomly assigned as Control (N=55) and SPR (N=89) groups. Also, G-TEP groups were randomly assigned as G-TEP-1 (N=75) and G-TEP-2 (N=74) groups. One hundred eighty-one participants, 89 in the EMDR groups and 92 in the control groups, were included in the completers analysis. Analysis of the results showed that the SPR and all G-TEP groups had significantly lower PTSD and depression symptoms after intervention (p<0.01), but not in the control group (PCL, p=0.722). In addition, there were a noticeable increase of WHO-5 and BRS.
Conclusion
This study indicates that both G-TEP EMDR and SPR protocols are associated with a reduction of psychological trauma symptoms and increasing quality of life of military conflict-affected people.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Snisar, D., Khmelnytska, O., & Novak, O. (2021, June). Evaluation of group-based interventions among conflict-affected people in the East of Ukraine. Poster presented at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“Evaluation of group-based interventions among conflict-affected people in the East of Ukraine.,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 3, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26965.