Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS): A Study With Pakistani Adolescents

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS): A Study With Pakistani Adolescents

This study will evaluate whether a school-based counseling program, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), helps reduce trauma-related symptoms and improve psychological functioning in adolescents in Pakistan who have experienced traumatic events. Students will first be screened to identify those with trauma exposure and related symptoms. Eligible students will receive the CBITS program, delivered at their school by the researcher. Researcher will measure changes in trauma-related symptoms and other psychological outcomes before and after the intervention to determine whether the program is effective for this population.

Exposure to trauma is common among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, including Pakistan, where students may experience adverse events such as violence, natural disasters, displacement, or abuse. These experiences can lead to significant psychological distress, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression, which may go unaddressed due to limited access to mental health services in school settings.

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) is a group-based, school-delivered intervention originally developed to address trauma-related symptoms among students exposed to community violence and other traumatic events. The program uses cognitive-behavioral techniques, including psychoeducation, relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, and gradual exposure, to help students process traumatic experiences and reduce associated symptoms.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CBITS among adolescents in Pakistani schools who have experienced trauma and are exhibiting trauma-related psychological symptoms. Students will be screened using standardized measures to identify eligible participants. Those who meet criteria will receive the CBITS intervention, delivered by trained facilitators in a school-based setting over a series of structured sessions.

The study will assess changes in participants' psychological symptoms and functioning from baseline to post-intervention, in order to determine whether the intervention is associated with meaningful improvement in this population. Findings from this study may help inform the feasibility and cultural adaptation of trauma-focused, school-based mental health interventions in Pakistan and similar contexts.

Inclusion Criteria:

Students who are 10-16 years of age, have experienced at least one trauma.

Exclusion Criteria:

Students who have sexual abuse as only traumatic event