Design, Development and validation of Integrating Cognitive- Behavioral Intervention Based on the Lived Experiences of Foster Children on Complex Trauma

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Assistan Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: It is crucial to design specific interventions for vulnerable foster children. This study introduces an integrated cognitive-behavioral intervention based on the lived experiences of foster children with complex trauma, by incorporating themes extracted from interviews with foster children and elements of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
 
Method: The study comprised two parts. In the first part, 8 girls, aged 9 to 11, were selected from among 30 foster children in Isfahan in 2022 through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a descriptive phenomenological method and analyzed using the Giorgi method. In the second part, the common factors approach was applied to develop an integrated intervention from various integration methods. The content validity of the intervention was assessed using the Delphi method with feedback from 8 experts.
 
Results: In the first part, five main themes were identified: belonging, relationships, self-concept, past life challenges, and psychological capital. In the second part, an integrated cognitive-behavioral intervention based on the foster children’s lived experiences was developed, consisting of 10 sessions. Each session included two parts—one for caregivers and one for children. The content validity ratio (CVR) ranged from 0.75 to 1, and the content validity index (CVI) was 0.9.
 
Conclusion: This integrated intervention is a child-centered therapeutic approach designed to reduce some of the limitations in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It leverages the strengths of TF-CBT while addressing the unique needs of foster children.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Applied Psychology
Volume 18, Issue 3 - Serial Number 71
October 2024
Pages 173-195

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