From trauma debriefing to trauma support: a South African experience of responding to individuals and communities in the aftermath of traumatising events
- Authors: Van Wyk, G , Edwards, David J A
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6267 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008266
- Description: This paper documents the approach and experience of Traumaclinic, a Cape Town based organisation offering a trauma support service. The controversy over single session debriefing interventions is examined and it is concluded that interventions that invite intense emotional expression should not be offered indiscriminately or forced on those who do not want them. When they do occur, they need to be carefully managed and take place over several sessions. A review of contemporary approaches to intervention following trauma highlights their comprehensive and flexible nature and the inclusion of multiple components that are introduced in a manner responsive to the needs of the situation. This is the basis of the current model used by Traumaclinic. The principles of that model are summarised and examples given of the application of the approach to specific cases.
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- Date Issued: 2005
Trauma, resilience and vulnerability to PTSD : a review and clinical case analysis
- Authors: Edwards, David J A , Sakasa, P , Van Wyk, G
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007780
- Description: This article begins with two case examples of a girl and an adolescent who were raped and developed chronic PTSD. These are used as a basis for understanding the role of a range of factors that are associated with resilience and vulnerability in the face of traumatic events. A literature review examines the proportion of individuals who develop PTSD following trauma and the factors associated with vulnerability and resilience. These include gender, developmental factors, social support and personality factors. Psychological factors associated with maintenance of chronic PTSD are also briefly reviewed. This material is used as a basis for reconsidering the case examples. Each case is formulated within a framework based on sources of vulnerability and qualities of resilience. Approaches to intervention are suggested that could address the range of factors making the individuals vulnerable to chronic psychological problems and support resiliency and recovery.
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- Date Issued: 2005