What Works for Children and Young People After Disasters – An Evidence Review

The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network conducted a systematic review of 32 studies on interventions for what works for children and young people after disasters. This evidence review is intended for use by professionals who work (or who are training to work) in areas related to the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents with an interest in the impact of psychological trauma, loss and grief.

‘Exposure to disasters can be a major cause of trauma and emotional distress for children, adolescents and their families. Effective intervention has the potential, to not only alleviate distress and enhance coping following a disaster, but also prevent the onset or development of long-term mental health problems in young people.’ (Farrer, Macdonald, Kenardy & Ronan, 2010)

The interventions that they review:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing
• Massage therapy
• Trauma/grief focused psychotherapy
• Client-centred therapy
• Catastrophic stress intervention
• Exposure based behavioural approaches
• Hyponsis
• Multiple approaches