Building Resilience Against ViolencE (BRAVE)

Building Resilience Against ViolencE (BRAVE): A Parenting Intervention for Mothers and Fathers With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms.

The study has both quantitative and qualitative components.

The objective of the quantitative study is:

To evaluate the effectiveness of Learning Through Play (LTP) Plus culturally adapted Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) for post-traumatic stress symptoms in parents.

The objective of the qualitative study is:

To find out facilitators and barriers from the perspective of the participants and other stakeholders (e.g., clinicians, GPs, people delivering the LTP plus TF CBT intervention etc)

Despite the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in Pakistan, research on psychosocial intervention is limited. We propose to investigate the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of manual assisted Learning Through Play (LTP) Plus culturally adapted Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) among parents experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). LTP Plus is proposed as a low cost intervention to improve parents' mental and physical health, and promote healthy child development. The LTP research-based activities enhance children's development while simultaneously promoting attachment security through building parents' ability to read and be sensitive to their children's cues and through active involvement in their children's development. This will be integrated with Trauma Focused CBT.

Purpose of this RCT is to determine the effectiveness of LTP plus TF- CBT intervention. The study will be conducted in two cities of Pakistan, Karachi and Peshawar.Participants will be screened using Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and eligibility checklist. Those scoring 24 or above will be eligible for more in depth assessment. Assessments will be done at baseline and after completion of intervention. Outcome assessments will be done by independent Research Assistants blind to group allocations.

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants will be included in the study if they are:

Parents over the age of 16 years who are living with their children age 3-6 years. They meet the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and are able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants will be excluded from the study if they have:

Any diagnosed physical or learning disability which prevents them from attending the LTP+ group intervention, or suffering from psychosis or those who are actively suicidal. This will be assessed by the research team at screening stage. Any disabilities or diagnosed mental illness. Any parent who is on current use of anti-depressant medication. And a prior self-reported mental illness, including depression.