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The Effect of Psychological First Aid Training on Knowledge and Understanding about Psychosocial Support Principles: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

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  • Marit Sijbrandij

    (Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Rebecca Horn

    (Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, UK)

  • Rebecca Esliker

    (Department of Counselling Psychology, University of Makeni, Freetown, Makeni PO Box 2, Northern Province, Sierra Leone)

  • Fiona O’May

    (Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, UK)

  • Relinde Reiffers

    (ARQ International, ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands)

  • Leontien Ruttenberg

    (International Medical Relief Services (IMRES), 8200 AE Lelystad, The Netherlands)

  • Kimberly Stam

    (ARQ International, ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands)

  • Joop de Jong

    (Amsterdam University Medical Centre, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Alastair Ager

    (Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, UK
    Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Psychological first aid (PFA) is a world-wide implemented approach to helping people affected by an emergency, disaster, or other adverse event. Controlled evaluations of PFA’s training effects are lacking. We evaluated the effectiveness of a one-day PFA training on the acquisition and retention of knowledge of appropriate responses and skills in the acute aftermath of adversity in Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in post-Ebola Sierra Leone. Secondary outcomes were professional quality of life, confidence in supporting a distressed person, and professional attitude. PHUs in Sierra Leone ( n = 129) were cluster-randomized across PFA (206 participants) and control (202 participants) in March 2017. Knowledge and understanding of psychosocial support principles and skills were measured with a questionnaire and two patient scenarios to which participants described helpful responses. Professional attitude, confidence, and professional quality of life were assessed using self-report instruments. Assessments took place at baseline and at three- and six-months post-baseline. The PFA group had a stronger increase in PFA knowledge and understanding at the post-PFA training assessment (d = 0.50; p < 0.001) and at follow-up (d = 0.43; p = 0.001). In addition, the PFA group showed better responses to the scenarios at six-months follow-up (d = 0.38; p = 0.0002) but not at the post-assessment (d = 0.04; p = 0.26). No overall significant differences were found for professional attitude, confidence, and professional quality of life. In conclusion, PFA training improved acquisition and retention of knowledge and understanding of appropriate psychosocial responses and skills in providing support to individuals exposed to acute adversity. Our data support the use of PFA trainings to strengthen capacity for psychosocial support in contexts of disaster and humanitarian crisis. Future studies should examine the effects of PFA on psychosocial outcomes for people affected by crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Marit Sijbrandij & Rebecca Horn & Rebecca Esliker & Fiona O’May & Relinde Reiffers & Leontien Ruttenberg & Kimberly Stam & Joop de Jong & Alastair Ager, 2020. "The Effect of Psychological First Aid Training on Knowledge and Understanding about Psychosocial Support Principles: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:484-:d:307824
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McCabe, O.L. & Everly Jr., G.S. & Brown, L.M. & Wendelboe, A.M. & Hamid, N.H.A. & Tallchief, V.L. & Links, J.M., 2014. "Psychological first aid: A consensus-derived, empirically supported, competency-based training model," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(4), pages 621-628.
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    Cited by:

    1. Min Peng & Tao Xiao & Ben Carter & Pan Chen & James Shearer, 2022. "Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Mental Health Interventions Delivered by Frontline Health Care Workers in Emergency Health Services: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Marine Tessier & Josianne Lamothe & Steve Geoffrion, 2021. "Adherence to Psychological First Aid after Exposure to a Traumatic Event at Work among EMS Workers: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Julia Corey & Frédérique Vallières & Timothy Frawley & Aoife De Brún & Sarah Davidson & Brynne Gilmore, 2021. "A Rapid Realist Review of Group Psychological First Aid for Humanitarian Workers and Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    4. Lawrence A. Palinkas & Meaghan L. O’Donnell & Winnie Lau & Marleen Wong, 2020. "Strategies for Delivering Mental Health Services in Response to Global Climate Change: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-19, November.
    5. Lennart Reifels & Michel L. A. Dückers, 2023. "Disaster Mental Health Risk Reduction: Appraising Disaster Mental Health Research as If Risk Mattered," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-14, May.
    6. Holly Blake & Alisha Gupta & Mahnoor Javed & Ben Wood & Steph Knowles & Emma Coyne & Joanne Cooper, 2021. "COVID-Well Study: Qualitative Evaluation of Supported Wellbeing Centres and Psychological First Aid for Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-27, March.
    7. Ling Wang & Ian Norman & Tao Xiao & Yamin Li & Mary Leamy, 2021. "Psychological First Aid Training: A Scoping Review of Its Application, Outcomes and Implementation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-23, April.
    8. Hiroki Asaoka & Yuichi Koido & Yuzuru Kawashima & Miki Ikeda & Yuki Miyamoto & Daisuke Nishi, 2021. "Longitudinal Change of Psychological Distress among Healthcare Professionals with and without Psychological First Aid Training Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-12, November.
    9. Tania Pearce & Lyndal Bugeja & Sarah Wayland & Myfanwy Maple, 2021. "Effective Elements for Workplace Responses to Critical Incidents and Suicide: A Rapid Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, April.

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