Trauma research
We explore how children and adolescents cope with traumatic event(s), with a focus on their thoughts/appraisals about the traumatic event and its consequences. This subjective view on the trauma (aftermath) is often key whether children and adolescents are able to deal well with what happened or whether symptoms persist in the long term. We are interested in both the naturalistic course of trauma-related thoughts/appraisals and, in terms of ongoing distress, the impact of trauma-focused interventions on recovery (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapies with a trauma focus). For a comprehensive understanding, we combine international cross-sectional and prospective studies, individual participant data meta-analyses, and systematic reviews (see “Publikationen” at https://fbz-bochum.de/person/dr-anke-de-haan). We incorporate participatory research with trauma-exposed young people and their families as well as relevant stakeholders of care, especially psychotherapists. Our goal is to minimise the gap between research and clinical practice to provide the best trauma-focused support to children and adolescents.
Head of the research group
Scientific profile
Principal Investigator and Team
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Sarah Schäfer, Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) Mainz & Technische Universität Braunschweig
Dr. Anke de Haan, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center (FBZ), Ruhr University Bochum
Clara F. Burmeister MSc., Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) Mainz & Technische Universität Braunschweig
Eva Lottermoser MSc., Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center (FBZ), Ruhr University Bochum
Prof. Dr. Klaus Lieb, Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) Mainz
Prof. Dr. Silvia Schneider, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Mental Health Research and Treatment Center (FBZ), Ruhr University Bochum
Preregistration
Link will be provided once preregistered.
Funding
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Duration
2 years (01.2025 - 12.2026)
Description
The project aims at providing a systematic review on a so far poorly researched, but highly patient-relevant outcome, i.e., long-term effects of psychotherapy in children and adolescents. Although there is a large evidence body on acute effects of psychotherapy, still little is systematically known on long-term effects in this age group. However, especially at younger age, favorable long-term effects are essential to prevent long-lasting negative health consequences of mental disorders that come with high individual and societal costs. The aim of this review project are therefore twofold: First, it will provide a comprehensive open access up-to-date database on clinical trials examining the long-term effects of psychotherapy in children and adolescents, and second, by making use of this database, the project will answer research questions, selected for their relevance to patients, caregivers, and clinical care. The project brings together clinical expertise (AdH, SSc, clinicians), methodological expertise (SKS, KL), and lived expertise from patients and caregivers and will thereby contribute to improve clinical guidelines, and in turn clinical care and patients’ informed decision making.
Principal Investigators
Dr. Anke de Haan
Dr. Verena Pflug
Svenja Schaumburg MSc.
Preregistration
Link will be provided once preregistered.
Funding
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF): Early Career Scientist (ECS) Independence Grant of the German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Bochum/Marburg
Duration
Start April 2025
Description
How are research and clinical practice in psychotherapy related? Unfortunately, it is often a one-way street: In research, new findings emerge, new therapy methods are developed and tested, and then recommendations are made for clinical practice. The real-life experiences of psychotherapists are rarely included in the dissemination process. However, the perspective from clinical practice is essential for successful translation. This project, therefore, aims at combining research and clinical practice in child and adolescent psychotherapy. We will conduct an online survey to gain a more detailed understanding of the perspective of child and adolescent psychotherapists on three different topics:
1. Involvement of parents in treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents
2. Assessment of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and addressing information on PTEs of child and adolescent patients
3. Innovative treatment approaches such as Group One Session Treatments (GOSTs) or Virtual Reality (VR) for the therapy of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents