Child-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and attrition from therapy

High rates of attrition from child trauma-focused treatment are a significant barrier to mitigating children's trauma-related difficulties. Nonetheless, to date, only one study has investigated child-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in relation to dropout from trauma-focused therapy and the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters remain unexamined.

The present study sought to determine whether higher levels of child-reported PTSS, as well as the specific DSM-IV PTSD symptom clusters, predicted attrition from trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).

One hundred and seventy one children ages 7-18 (M = 11.76, SD = 2.71; 67.4% female; 55.8% Black) were included in the study from an archival database. Dropout was investigated by two operational definitions: 1) clinician-rated dropout, and 2) whether the child received an adequate dose of treatment (i.e., 12 or more sessions).

Sixty eight percent (68.4%) of the children prematurely terminated treatment per their clinician, yet 70.2% received an adequate treatment dose. Child's age and income were related to clinician-rated attrition, but PTSS did not correspond with either attrition definition. None of the PTSD symptom clusters were associated with clinician-rated dropout; however, higher levels of avoidance symptoms were tied to increased likelihood of the child receiving an adequate dose of treatment.

From a public health perspective, it is encouraging that children who are reporting higher levels of PTSS may not be at greater risk for attrition.