Randomized Control Trial of a CBT Trauma Recovery Program in Palestinian Schools

The current study aimed to assess the Teaching Recovery Techniques
(TRT) trauma recovery program within the context of ongoing violence.
Utilizing a randomized controlled trial, 11–14-year-old
students in Nablus, Palestine, were allocated by class to intervention
or wait-list control conditions. Standardized measures assessed
trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), grief, and
depression. Program fidelity and participant experiences were
measured by adherence questionnaires and focus groups. Analyses
involved paired t-tests, ANCOVAs, and thematic analysis.
Intervention students reported significant decreases in PTSD,
grief, and depression. Findings indicate that the TRT program has
the potential to ameliorate children’s trauma symptoms during
situations of ongoing violence.