A mixed-method study evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based psychosocial support (PSS) intervention for communities affected by conflict in Colombia

INTERVENTION: In this randomized controlled trial, members of communities affected by conflict in Quibdo, Colombia are randomly assigned to participate in a non‐intervention waitlist control group or in a community‐based group psychosocial support intervention. Randomization is conducted using a random number generation procedure through Excel. The intervention group will participate in an eight‐week, 2‐hour‐per‐week community‐based psychosocial support group (with 7‐10 participants) conducted in‐person or remotely (by phone/internet). This model was developed as part of Heartland Alliance International’s Alianza Con Organizaciones Por lo Emocional (ACOPLE) project. Participants can choose whether to participate in person or remotely. In‐person groups are held at community centers in various parts of the municipality. The groups are facilitated by trained non‐professional community members, called community psychosocial agents, that receive supervision from mental health professionals. The groups include collective problem‐solving sessions focused on teaching skills to collaboratively address personal and community‐level problems, as well as expressive activity sessions which draw from cultural practices to practice coping and emotion regulation skills. Participants who provide consent will be randomized to intervention or waitlist control groups, including stratification by choice of modality (in‐person or remote) and neighborhood. Both groups participate in interviews at baseline and after three months. The waitlist control group will then participate in the intervention. CONDITION: Reduction of distress (generalized distress and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder) and functional impairment and promotion of subjective well‐being and use of adaptive coping strategies among community members in Quibdo, Colombia. ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: Distress is measured using the Kessler‐6 (generalized distress), Hopkins Symptom Checklist (Anxiety and Depression) and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) at baseline and 3 months. SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Subjective Wellbeing is measured using the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) at baseline and 3 months.; 2. Functioning is measured using the WHODAS at baseline and 3 months.; 3. Coping is measured using the Brief COPE at baseline and 3 months.; 4. Community resilience is measured using the Community Resilience Scale at baseline and 3 months.; 5. Emotional Regulation is measured using the Gross Emotional Regulation Scale at baseline and 3 months.; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Age 18 years or over 2. Resides in target location: municipality of Quibdó (Chocó, Colombia) 3. Experienced displacement as a result of conflict or gang violence