Effect of three group interventions on psychosocial functioning in adolescents exposed to interpersonal violence in Chile: A pilot clinical trial.

Background: In Chile demand for specialist care following exposure to interpersonal violence (IPV) in youth far exceeds capacity. Group interventions may improve access to care for youth.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of two low-intensity group interventions: Trama Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT); and treatment as usual, Art therapy-based support (ATBS). Outcomes measured were post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, interpersonal functioning and affect regulation.

Participants And Setting: Participants were 67 Chilean youth aged 13-17 years, victims of IPV on a waiting list to receive specialist individual intervention.

Methods: Using a randomised controlled trial design, participants were randomly assigned to one of the interventions. Self-report measures were completed at 5 timepoints between baseline and follow up eight weeks after intervention ended. Dropout rates and attendance were also analysed.

Results: TF-CBT showed significant decreases for PTSD (d = 0.91) and depression (d = 0.77) symptoms, sustained at follow-up with affect regulation problems also showing significant decrease from baseline (d = 0.43). IPT showed significant decreases in PTSD symptoms (d = 0.64) and affect regulation problems (d = 0.66), both sustained at follow-up. ATBS showed statistically significant decrease for PTSD (d = 0.79) and interpersonal problems (d = 0.65) but only change in PTSD was sustained at follow-up. There were no significant differences in dropout or attendance between the interventions.

Conclusion: Group interventions provide a viable and effective first-phase option for reducing psychological distress in IPV-exposed youth in high-demand contexts. Effectiveness may be further improved through the more active involvement of parents and carers.