TF-CBT

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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Improvements in PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Psychological Attributes

In a sample of NC children and adolescents who were receiving Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for trauma-related symptoms, the following outcomes were achieved.

Using the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM 5 (UCLA PTSD RI – DSM 5), both children and their caregivers reported significant improvements in symptoms of PTSD (e.g., intrusion symptoms, avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity) as well as the total severity of PTSD, as seen in the following graphs.

Bar chart displaying pre- and post-treatment mean scores for UCLA PTSD RI for DSM-5 (Caregiver-Report) subscales. Four subscales are shown: Intrusion Symptoms, Avoidance Symptoms, Negative Alterations in Cognition and Mood, and Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity. Pre-treatment assessment scores (darker green bars) are higher than post-treatment assessment scores (lighter green bars). Mean scores for each subscale: Intrusion Symptoms: Pre-treatment 9.48, Post-treatment 4.97 Avoidance Symptoms: Pre-treatment 4.75, Post-treatment 3.19 Negative Alterations in Cognition and Mood: Pre-treatment 13.72, Post-treatment 7.83 Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity: Pre-treatment 12.33, Post-treatment 6.76 Asterisks (***) above the bars indicate statistical significance at p < 0.001."
Bar chart showing pre- and post-treatment mean total severity scores for UCLA PTSD RI for DSM-5 (Caregiver-Report). The pre-treatment assessment bar (darker green) has a mean score of 39.94, while the post-treatment assessment bar (lighter green) has a mean score of 22.64. Asterisks (***) above the bars indicate statistical significance at p < 0.001, highlighting a significant reduction in total severity scores after treatment.
Bar chart showing pre- and post-treatment mean scores for the UCLA PTSD RI for DSM-5 (Child/Adolescent Version) subscales. Four categories are displayed: Intrusion Symptoms, Avoidance Symptoms, Negative Alterations in Cognition and Mood, and Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity. Pre-treatment scores (darker green bars) are significantly higher than post-treatment scores (lighter green bars) in all categories, with p < 0.001 significance.
Bar chart displaying pre- and post-treatment mean scores for total severity on the UCLA PTSD RI for DSM-5 (Child/Adolescent Version). Pre-treatment assessment (darker green bar) shows a mean score of 44.75, while post-treatment assessment (lighter green bar) shows a significantly reduced mean score of 23.74, with p < 0.001 significance.

Youth Improvement in Anxiety and Depression

Using the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), youth reported significant improvements in both anxiety and depression, as seen in the following graphs.

Bar chart comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment mean scores for SDQ (Caregiver-Report) subscales, including Emotional Symptoms, Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity Symptoms, Peer Problems, Impact, and Prosocial behavior. Post-treatment scores show significant improvement across all subscales (p < 0.001), with lower scores for negative symptoms and higher scores for prosocial behavior.

Improvements in Youth Psychological Attributes

Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), caregivers reported that youth showed great improvements in specific psychological attributes, such as emotional problems, conduct, hyperactivity, peer problems, impact of problems, prosocial skills, and overall difficulties, as seen in the following graphs.

Bar chart showing pre-treatment and post-treatment mean scores for SDQ (Caregiver-Report) subscales: Emotional Symptoms, Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity Symptoms, Peer Problems, Impact, and Prosocial behavior. Post-treatment scores indicate significant improvements (p < 0.001), with reductions in negative symptoms and increases in prosocial behavior.
Bar chart showing pre-treatment and post-treatment mean scores for SDQ (Caregiver-Report) Total Difficulties. The pre-treatment mean score is 19.25, while the post-treatment mean score is significantly reduced to 12.91 (p < 0.001), indicating a notable improvement following treatment.