The aim of this study
was to evaluate the short-term im-
pact of a group crisis intervention
for children aged 9–15 years from
five refugee camps in the Gaza
Strip during ongoing war conflict.
Children were selected if they re-
ported moderate to severe post-
traumatic stress reactions,and
were allocated to group interven-
tion (N=47) encouraging expres-
sion of experiences and emotions
through storytelling,drawing,free
play and role-play; education about
symptoms (N=22); or no interven-
tion (N=42).Children completed
the CPTSD-RI and the CDI pre-
and post-intervention.No signifi-
cant impact of the group interven-
tion was established on children’s
posttraumatic or depressive symp-
toms.Possible explanations of the
findings are discussed,including
the continuing exposure to trauma
and the non-active nature of the
intervention.
■ Key words child – trauma – war