A clinical trial on the effectiveness of MERITA group therapy for emotion regulation and interpersonal skills in children and adolescents exposed to abuse and domestic violence

• DOI: 10.20935/mhealthwellb7698
• Publication Date: 2025-05-14T13:41:11Z
• Authors: Mar Alvarez-Segura; Anna Butjosa; María Angeles Nav...; Eva María Ortiz-J...; Teresa Richart; Paola De Rose; Veronica Sperandini; Fernando Lacasa
• Keywords: Group psychotherapy; Mentalization; Prosocial Behavior

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of group therapy for PTSD in witnesses domestic violence (WDV). The aim this clinical trial was, firstly, to assess a manualized emotional regulation and interpersonal abilities (MERITA) child adolescent WDV treated at center (TAU); secondly, analyze differences (MERITA + TAU vs. TAU) traumatic, depressive, anxious symptomatology, dysregulation, difficulties, externalizing internalizing symptoms, somatic complaints, prosocial behavior, attachment, family functioning. A total 128 patients were required (64 intervention 64 control group) from Child Adolescent Mental Health Center (Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain) Hospital Sant Joan Déu. Specifically, MERITA was compared (post-trial 3-month follow-up). Furthermore, (intervention group), temporal evolution measures analyzed. Statistical analyses carried out, using linear mixed model with pre-, post-, follow-up measurements, where measurements results according TAU/TAU) studied. In addition, used before, after, 3-, 6-, 12-month evaluate measurements. structure protocol rigorous design based on SPIRIT methodology CONSORT guidelines made it an optimal conducting trial. Trial registration: NCT05917730 (date 2020 Oct 1).