Short-Term Effects of a Writing Intervention Among Adolescents in Gaza

Abstract This study evaluates the effect of a short-term group intervention titled Writing for Recovery in Gaza. Adolescents (N = 139) aged 12–17 were randomly assigned to an intervention or to a waiting list group. Levels of distress were assessed at baseline and at posttest. A follow-up assessment was conducted 5 months after both groups had received the intervention. Results at posttest showed a reduction in posttraumatic stress symptoms in both groups, an increase in depression in the intervention group, and no change in anxiety symptoms. At follow-up, a significant decline in depression scores was evident. Overall, no evidence for improvements due to the intervention was found. Acknowledgments This project has been approved by the Regional Ethical Committee of Western Norway. The project was financially supported by Psychology Beyond Borders and the Children and War Foundation. The authors are thankful to the participating adolescents, the teachers and headmasters of the schools, and the staff at the Child and Family Training and Counseling Center in Gaza for assistance and participation. The authors also thank the Education Department of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and the Ministry of Education in Gaza for their cooperation. Notes Note. Numbers in parentheses are standard deviations. Mixed between-within ANOVA was used for interaction effects, and paired-samples t test was used for effect of time in each group separately. a DSRS: n = 65. b Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test. *p < .05; **p < .001. Note. Repeated measures ANOVA. a N = 122. **p < .001. Additional informationNotes on contributorsIda Ingridsdatter Lange-Nielsen Ida Ingridsdatter Lange-Nielsen graduated from the Programme of Professional Studies in Psychology at the University of Bergen in 2010. She is currently working as a clinical psychologist with Multisystemic Therapy in the Norwegian Child, Youth and Family Affairs. Silje Kolltveit Silje Kolltveit graduated from the Programme of Professional Studies in Psychology at the University of Bergen in 2010. She is currently working on a project related to treatment of adolescents with drug addiction and conduct disorder in institutions. Abdel Aziz Mousa Thabet Abdel Aziz Mousa Thabet, a leading child psychiatrist in Gaza, has studied the effects of violence and trauma on children for 20 years and is the director of the Child and Family Training and Counseling Center in Gaza. Atle Dyregrov Atle Dyregrov is a clinical psychologist and director of the Center for Crisis Psychology in Bergen, Norway. He has worked extensively with children following war and disaster. Ståle Pallesen Ståle Pallesen is a professor in the Faculty of Psychology, Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, and is a member of the Bergen Group for Treatment Research. Tom Backer Johnsen Tom Backer Johnsen graduated from the University of Oslo in 1968. He is an associate professor in psychometrics at the University of Bergen and has extensive experience in data analysis and statistics. Jon Christian Laberg Jon Christian Laberg is a professor in the Faculty of Psychology, Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, and is a member of the Operational Psychology Research Group.