Leveraging Technology and Cultural Adaptations to Increase Access and Engagement Among Trauma-Exposed African American Youth: Exploratory Study of School-Based Telehealth Delivery of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Published in: Journal of interpersonal violence Vol. 36; no. 15-16; pp. 7090 - 7109
• Main Authors: Stewart, Regan W., Orengo-Aguayo, Rosaura, Wallace, Megan, Metzger, Isha W., Rheingold, Alyssa A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-08-2021; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: African American Children; African Americans; Barriers; Behavior modification; Case studies; Cognition; Cognitive Restructuring; Cognitive therapy; Health research; Mental Health Programs; Mental health services; Post traumatic stress disorder; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Psychotherapy; Technology; Telemedicine; Trauma; Youth; PTSD; treatment; treatment/intervention; child abuse
• ISSN: 0886-2605; 1552-6518
• DOI: 10.1177/0886260519831380

African American youth are disproportionately represented among trauma-exposed youth; yet, they are significantly less likely to access and complete mental health services. Research suggests that barriers to accessing and engaging in trauma-focused treatment include both logistical factors and engagement factors. This multiple case study sought to illustrate the initial feasibility and acceptability of delivering culturally tailored, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) via telehealth in a school setting with three African American youth presenting with multiple barriers to accessing treatment. Barriers to treatment, telehealth modifications, and cultural tailoring are described for each participant. The UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI) was completed at pretreatment and posttreatment. Results demonstrated significant decreases in symptoms of posttraumatic stress, as evidenced by a reduction in total UCLA PTSD-RI scores to nonclinical levels for all participants at posttreatment (UCLA scores posttreatment = 8-12). In addition, at posttreatment no participants met diagnostic criteria for PTSD or adjustment disorder. This multiple case study provides preliminary support for school-based, culturally tailored TF-CBT delivered via telehealth with African American youth.