Citation

Allen B, Brown MP. Clin. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/13591045221144588

PMID

36472223

Abstract

Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a frontline intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among maltreated children. Research suggests that active caregiver participation predicts positive treatment outcomes, but these studies are often based on the perception of the caregiver. Youth perceptions of the caregiver as a source of support who might help confront distressing memories (i.e., attachment security) and how they relate to TF-CBT treatment are unexplored. This paper uses data from a small randomized controlled feasibility trial of TF-CBT to conduct a pilot examination of whether (a) attachment security may improve through the course of TF-CBT, and (b) pre-treatment attachment security predicts response to TF-CBT for the amelioration of posttraumatic stress.

RESULTS favored the conclusion that those beginning treatment with attachment insecurity may demonstrate improvement for this outcome by the end of treatment (n = 8; t = 3.3, p =.013, Cohen's d = 1.17). However, although significant improvements were found over the course of treatment for PTSD, there was no evidence that pre-treatment attachment security predicted PTSD outcome (n = 29; ∆R(2) <.01, ∆F(1,26) =.001, p =.969). The limitations of the current pilot study are discussed, as well as directions for future research.

Language: en

Keywords

child abuse; randomized controlled trial; Attachment; cognitive-behavioral therapy; trauma-focused