Jornal de Trauma e Tratamento

Women of Cultural Diversity and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Group Intervention with STAIR Model

Abstract

Sara Guila Fidel Kinori*, Gloria Palomar Martinez, Carolina Ramos Sayalero, Estela García Gea, Constanza Daigre Blanco, Guillem d'Efak Fullana-Ferre, José Antonio Ramos-Quiroga

Background: The improvement in the assessment of women with Complex PTSD diagnosis has made it easier to offer special treatments with scientific evidence. In Spain, non-native women present a high percentage of this disorder and require a specific approach.

Objective: Develop a Pilot Study adapting the STAIR modular program to Spanish for women of cultural diversity, and apply it in a group format in two different settings: a General Hospital and an Arts Museum.

Method: 26 culturally diverse women were randomized into two groups, offering the STAIR program in 10 consecutive weekly sessions, with a pre- and post- evaluation, and a follow-up during the first year. A non-parametric statistical analysis for repeated measures was used.

Results: All the participants showed significant improvement (p<0.001) in anxiety, depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and in quality of life. Overall symptomatic improvement was identified in the participants, despite the fact that satisfaction with the treatment was lower in the Museum group setting with Art in Health approaches.

Conclusions: The cross-cultural adaptation of the STAIR Model has been useful in the symptomatic improvement of the participants, but it is necessary to get better with Arts in Health perspective.