Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative study
BackgroundDevelopmental trauma has a profound effect on people’s lives. There are few studies of the perceived difficulties and treatment needs of adolescents with developmental trauma. More studies are called for to explore the perspectives and experiences of these patients, especially adolescents....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.946394/full |
| _version_ | 1797833160547893248 |
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| author | Kjerst Olstad Kjerst Olstad Torgeir Sørensen Lars Lien Lars Johan Danbolt Lars Johan Danbolt |
| author_facet | Kjerst Olstad Kjerst Olstad Torgeir Sørensen Lars Lien Lars Johan Danbolt Lars Johan Danbolt |
| author_sort | Kjerst Olstad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundDevelopmental trauma has a profound effect on people’s lives. There are few studies of the perceived difficulties and treatment needs of adolescents with developmental trauma. More studies are called for to explore the perspectives and experiences of these patients, especially adolescents.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with eight adolescents with developmental trauma aged 14–18 years in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Outpatient Unit. The interviews were analyzed using systematic text condensation.ResultsA main finding in this study regards the participants’ understanding of why they needed therapy: symptom alleviation and coping tools. They expressed a need for talking with a safe and reliable adult who understood their situation. Their stories of daily functioning and bodily sensations align mainly with symptoms described for adolescents with developmental trauma. The study also shows that the participants’ experiences of trauma affected their lives to a greater or lesser extent, in the form of ambivalence, avoidance, regulation, and coping strategies. They also described various physical problems, especially insomnia and inner restlessness. Their subjective stories revealed insights into their experiences.ConclusionBased on the results, we recommend that adolescents with developmental trauma be allowed to express their understandings of their difficulties and their treatment expectations at an early stage of their therapy. An emphasis on patient involvement and the therapeutic relationship can increase their autonomy and control over their own lives and treatment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:18:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d91d62bdbc24414ea9be13f42eeb7f1b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:18:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d91d62bdbc24414ea9be13f42eeb7f1b2023-05-05T04:42:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-05-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.946394946394Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative studyKjerst Olstad0Kjerst Olstad1Torgeir Sørensen2Lars Lien3Lars Johan Danbolt4Lars Johan Danbolt5Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, NorwayFaculty of Health Science, VID Specialized University, Oslo, NorwayNorwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Hamar, NorwayMF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Majorstuen, Oslo, NorwayInnlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, NorwayFaculty of Health Science, VID Specialized University, Oslo, NorwayBackgroundDevelopmental trauma has a profound effect on people’s lives. There are few studies of the perceived difficulties and treatment needs of adolescents with developmental trauma. More studies are called for to explore the perspectives and experiences of these patients, especially adolescents.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with eight adolescents with developmental trauma aged 14–18 years in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Outpatient Unit. The interviews were analyzed using systematic text condensation.ResultsA main finding in this study regards the participants’ understanding of why they needed therapy: symptom alleviation and coping tools. They expressed a need for talking with a safe and reliable adult who understood their situation. Their stories of daily functioning and bodily sensations align mainly with symptoms described for adolescents with developmental trauma. The study also shows that the participants’ experiences of trauma affected their lives to a greater or lesser extent, in the form of ambivalence, avoidance, regulation, and coping strategies. They also described various physical problems, especially insomnia and inner restlessness. Their subjective stories revealed insights into their experiences.ConclusionBased on the results, we recommend that adolescents with developmental trauma be allowed to express their understandings of their difficulties and their treatment expectations at an early stage of their therapy. An emphasis on patient involvement and the therapeutic relationship can increase their autonomy and control over their own lives and treatment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.946394/fulldevelopmental trauma disorderadolescentsself-understandingstherapysystematic text condensation |
| spellingShingle | Kjerst Olstad Kjerst Olstad Torgeir Sørensen Lars Lien Lars Johan Danbolt Lars Johan Danbolt Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative study Frontiers in Psychology developmental trauma disorder adolescents self-understandings therapy systematic text condensation |
| title | Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative study |
| title_full | Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative study |
| title_short | Adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service, outpatient unit: experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy – a qualitative study |
| title_sort | adolescents with developmental traumas in therapy in a child and adolescent mental health service outpatient unit experiences of daily living and expectations for therapy a qualitative study |
| topic | developmental trauma disorder adolescents self-understandings therapy systematic text condensation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.946394/full |
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