Controlled Trial of Psychotherapy for Congolese Survivors of Sexual Violence

In this trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo, researchers randomly assigned 16 villages to provide cognitive processing therapy or individual support to female sexual-violence survivors with high levels of PTSD symptoms and combined depression and anxiety symptoms. Assessments of combined all symptoms were performed at baseline, at the end of treatment, and 6 months after treatment ended. In this study of sexual-violence survivors in a low-income, conflict-affected country, group psychotherapy reduced PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms and improved overall functioning.

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Author(s): Judith K. Bass, Jeannie Annan, Sarah McIvor Murray, Debra Kaysen, Shelly Griffiths, Talita Cetinoglu, Karin Wachter, Laura K. Murray, and Paul A. Bolton
Year of Publication: 2013
Resource Type: journal article

Tags: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)