Year

2013

Season

Summer

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Arts in General Psychology (MAGP)

Department

Psychology

NACO controlled Corporate Body

University of North Florida. Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Brian Fisak

Second Advisor

Dr. Kristine Webb

Department Chair

Dr. Michael Toglia

College Dean

Dr. Barbara A. Hetrick

Abstract

The purpose of this analysis was to present a systematic review of the effectiveness of child and adolescent PTSD early intervention programs implemented within 3 months following a potentially traumatic event (PTE). The mean weighted effect sizes of the early interventions were calculated, and study variables were encoded for potential moderator variables. A statistically significant mean weighted effect size of -.26 was calculated at final follow up measures, indicating that children receiving early interventions reported lower scores on PTSD outcome measures. The individual studies’ effect sizes at follow-up showed mixed results, thus CBT-based interventions were used as a moderator variable which showed to be a significant moderator in the effectiveness of early interventions. Early interventions programs also seemed to be effective in reducing anxiety outcomes measures, but not depression. Study implications and directions for future research are presented, explaining the need for more long-term follow-up, more early interventions for different types of trauma, and more research in general so that additional potential moderator variables can be identified, allowing experts and researchers valuable information needed to develop effective early interventions following potentially traumatic events.

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