A test of a resilience based intervention for mental health problems in Iraqi internally displaced person camps.

The mental health needs of those in internally displaced persons camps are significant and are compounded by a number of barriers to care. Traditional methods of mental health care are often not feasible and thus a need exists for interventions that can successfully meet these conditions. The current study introduces and tests a new positive-psychology intervention, GROW, which was designed specifically for use in internally displaced persons camps. Pre-Post-Follow-up longitudinal examination of those who participated in the GROW intervention group (= 766). The study includes three waves of data for the intervention, which was administered in a group format, using paraprofessionals, over a two-week period in internally displaced persons camps in Iraq. The results indicate significant decreases in symptoms of PTSD for participants from pre- to post-intervention and demonstrates these changes were maintained at a three-month follow-up. Post hoc results indicated participants who were older, female, or who attended more sessions were more likely to respond to the intervention. These data provide initial support for the intervention and suggest additional research to more fully validate this intervention are warranted.