ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: The mental health needs of those in internally displaced persons camps are significant and are compounded by a number of barriers to care. Traditional methods of mental health care are often not feasible and thus a need exists for interventions that can successfully meet these conditions. The current study introduces and tests a new positive-psychology intervention, GROW, which was designed specifically for use in internally displaced persons camps. Design: Pre-Post-Follow-up longitudinal examination of those who participated in the GROW intervention group (N = 766). Methods: The study includes three waves of data for the intervention, which was administered in a group format, using paraprofessionals, over a two-week period in internally displaced persons camps in Iraq. Results: The results indicate significant decreases in symptoms of PTSD for participants from pre- to post-intervention and demonstrates these changes were maintained at a three-month follow-up. Post hoc results indicated participants who were older, female, or who attended more sessions were more likely to respond to the intervention. Conclusions: These data provide initial support for the intervention and suggest additional research to more fully validate this intervention are warranted.

摘要

背景和目标：境内流离失所者营地中的人的心理健康需求很大，并且由于许多护理障碍而更加复杂。传统的精神卫生保健方法通常不可行，因此需要能够成功满足这些条件的干预措施。当前的研究介绍并测试了一种新的积极心理学干预措施 GROW，该干预措施专为国内流离失所者营地而设计。设计：对参加 GROW 干预组（N  = 766）的人进行前后纵向检查。方法：该研究包括干预的三波数据，这些数据是在伊拉克境内流离失所者营地中以小组形式进行的，使用的是辅助专业人员，为期两周。结果：结果表明参与者的 PTSD 症状从干预前到干预后显着减少，并表明这些变化在三个月的随访中得以维持。事后结果表明，年龄较大、女性或参加更多会议的参与者更有可能对干预做出反应。结论：这些数据为干预提供了初步支持，并建议进行额外的研究以更充分地验证这种干预是有必要的。