Addressing Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Children

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), provided soon after a violent traumatic event, in producing significant and sustained reduction in PTSS among assault injured youth.

Interventions to target modifiable risk and protective factors during the early post-trauma period may promote recovery and reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) following violent injury by facilitating cognitive and emotional processing of trauma reactions, increasing coping capacity, and providing emotional support. Investigators seek to evaluate the effectiveness of the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), provided soon after a violent traumatic event, in producing significant and sustained reduction in PTSS among assault injured youth. Participants will be recruited from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) emergency department (ED) or Trauma Unit following interpersonal assault. Investigators seek to enroll 110 participants from CHOP. Participants must reside in Philadelphia County with a caregiver for at least the last six months, be 8 to 18 years of age (inclusive), have been received for an injury resulting from a qualifying interpersonal assault, and both child and caregiver must be able to speak English. Youth must have a Child Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Symptom Scale (CPSS) score \> or = 11 during study screening.The Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) is the study intervention. The primary outcome measure is youth-reported PTSS at 4 and 10 months.