Evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral writing therapy (Integrative testimonial therapy –ITT) of traumatised war children of the II. World War: A randomized trial

INTERVENTION: The treatment manual consists of 11 writing sessions of 45 minutes within 6 weeks. During a first diagnostic phase, an overview about the psychological and physical health status of the patient is provided. The treatment manual includes 3 components. The first component includes the reconstruction of the biography of the patient (7 writing sessions). In each session the patient is urged to describe a defined period of his/her life, therefore a consistent biography is generated at the end of the therapy. 2 writing sessions concerning the traumatic event of the patient during the II. WW or right after it are combined with the biographic component. In these 2 writing sessions the patient is requested to write about the trauma in detail. This narrative exposition allows the patient to integrate the fragmented memories into a more consistent biography. During the last component of the treatment (cognitive reappraisal, 2 writing sessions) the patient should write down his/her point of view on the traumatic experience and his/her life from the current perspective. The communication between patient and therapist takes place via internet or letter. CONDITION: Anxiety Depression Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Quality of life posttraumatic growth self‐efficacy PRIMARY OUTCOME: Posttraumatic stress scale (PDS) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Anxiety ‐ Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) Depression ‐ Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) Locus of control Post traumatic growth Inventory(PTGI) Quality of Life ‐ EUROHIS‐Quality of Life 8‐item index (EUROHIS‐QOL) self‐efficacy INCLUSION CRITERIA: Traumatic experience during the II. WW, born during 1920 and 1946, civil victim of war, speaking German