The Effect of Psychological First Aid Training on Knowledge and Understanding about Psychosocial Support Principles

A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15463574
AutoresMarit Sijbrandij (0000-0001-5430-9810, Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands, autor correspondente), Rebecca Horn (0000-0002-9869-544X, Queen Margaret University), Rebecca Esliker (0000-0002-0816-0928, University of Makeni), Fiona O’May (0000-0003-4417-2819, Queen Margaret University), Relinde Reiffers (Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group), Leontien Ruttenberg (Netherlands Leprosy Relief), Kimberly Stam (0000-0002-1804-6096, Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group), Joop De Jong (0000-0002-7652-7509, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Alastair Ager (0000-0002-9474-3563, Queen Margaret University)
Ano2020
Volume17
Fascículo2
Páginas484-484
Data de publicação2020-01-11
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17020484
PMID31940865
OpenAlexW3000541435
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas19
Referências citadas18

Psychological first aid (PFA) is a world-wide implemented approach to helping people affected by an emergency, disaster, or other adverse event. Controlled evaluations of PFA's training effects are lacking. We evaluated the effectiveness of a one-day PFA training on the acquisition and retention of knowledge of appropriate responses and skills in the acute aftermath of adversity in Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in post-Ebola Sierra Leone. Secondary outcomes were professional quality of life, confidence in supporting a distressed person, and professional attitude. PHUs in Sierra Leone ( n = 129) were cluster-randomized across PFA (206 participants) and control (202 participants) in March 2017. Knowledge and understanding of psychosocial support principles and skills were measured with a questionnaire and two patient scenarios to which participants described helpful responses. Professional attitude, confidence, and professional quality of life were assessed using self-report instruments. Assessments took place at baseline and at three- and six-months post-baseline. The PFA group had a stronger increase in PFA knowledge and understanding at the post-PFA training assessment (d = 0.50; p p = 0.001). In addition, the PFA group showed better responses to the scenarios at six-months follow-up (d = 0.38; p = 0.0002) but not at the post-assessment (d = 0.04; p = 0.26). No overall significant differences were found for professional attitude, confidence, and professional quality of life. In conclusion, PFA training improved acquisition and retention of knowledge and understanding of appropriate psychosocial responses and skills in providing support to individuals exposed to acute adversity. Our data support the use of PFA trainings to strengthen capacity for psychosocial support in contexts of disaster and humanitarian crisis. Future studies should examine the effects of PFA on psychosocial outcomes for people affected by crises

Cluster (spacecraft · Psychosocial · Psychotherapist · Randomized controlled trial · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Health, psychology, and well-being · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology