Randomized Control Trial of a CBT Trauma Recovery Program in Palestinian Schools

The current study aimed to assess the Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) trauma recovery program within the context of ongoing violence. Utilizing a randomized controlled trial, 11–14-year-old students in Nablus, Palestine, were allocated by class to intervention or wait-list control conditions. Standardized measures assessed trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), grief, and depression. Program fidelity and participant experiences were measured by adherence questionnaires and focus groups. Analyses involved paired t-tests, ANCOVAs, and thematic analysis. Intervention students reported significant decreases in PTSD, grief, and depression. Findings indicate that the TRT program has the potential to ameliorate children's trauma symptoms during situations of ongoing violence.