Citation

Bisson JI, Jenkins PL, Alexander WRJ, Bannister C. Br. J. Psychiatry 1997; 171: 78-81.

Affiliation

University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff. 101454.3011@compuserve.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9328501

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychological debriefing (PD) is widely used following major traumatic events in an attempt to reduce psychological sequelae. METHOD: One hundred and thirty-three adult burn trauma victims entered the study. After initial questionnaire completion, participants were randomly allocated to an individual/couple PD group or a control group who received no intervention; 110 (83%) were interviewed by an assessor blind to PD status three and 13 months later. RESULTS: Sixteen (26%) of the PD group had PTSD at 13-month follow-up, compared with four (9%) of the control group. The PD group had higher initial questionnaire scores and more severe dimensions of burn trauma than the control group, both of which were associated with a poorer outcome. CONCLUSION: This study seriously questions the wisdom of advocating one-off interventions post-trauma, and should stimulate research into more effective initiatives.

Language: en