Structured group therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in incarcerated male juveniles.

This is the first study to evaluate the efficacy of a structured group therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in incarcerated male juveniles. Ten groups of juveniles (n = 45) completed a 12-session intervention with pre- and postassessments composed of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (C. Frederick, 1985) and supplementary measures of anxiety, anger, and depression. Overall, group participants experienced significant reductions in self-reported PTSD symptoms. Supplemental analyses suggest that this treatment was most beneficial for youth with trauma related to gang and community violence.