STAIR-A for Girls: A Pilot Study of a Skills-Based Group for Traumatized Youth in an Urban School Setting

Omar G. Gudiño, Skyler Leonard, Marylene Cloitre

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Chronic exposure to trauma disrupts the development of capacities that can support current functioning and foster resilience. However, there is little research on interventions that simultaneously enhance resilience and reduce current symptoms. This pilot study utilized a matched assessment-only comparison group design to examine the effectiveness of an adolescent version of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (Cloitre et al. 2006) delivered in a 16‐week school-based group format. Participants were 46 racial/ethnic minority girls (ages 11–16) who were exposed to an average of 10.71 (SD = 6.19) stressful or traumatic events over their lifetime. Initial results suggest that this skill‐based treatment targeting emotion management and interpersonal skills can successfully enhance resilience while reducing psychopathology. Resiliency factors are important intervention targets for youth exposed to trauma, particularly in terms of improving current functioning and mitigating the impact of future exposure to trauma. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)67-79
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Trauma
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2016

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Interpersonal relations
  • Locus of control
  • PTSD
  • Resilience
  • Social stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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