Integrative Testimonial Therapy

In the last decade, the group of former war children from World War II has increasingly come into the focus of scientific research. Studies have been able to show the correlation between World War II-associated trauma and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older people. In psychotherapeutic care, however, there are very few older people, despite the fact that a significant proportion suffers from psychological problems. Barriers here are often fear of stigmatization or mobility reasons.

In order to overcome these barriers, an internet-based therapy approach was developed, since the internet is on the one hand a visually anonymous and easily accessible platform and on the other hand is already widely used by older people. In doing so, this Internet-based writing therapy combines elements of the cognitive-behavioral treatment approach for PTSD with findings from gerontopsychotherapy.

The study was aimed at people over 65 years of age who were traumatized during or immediately after World War II and currently suffer from PTSD symptoms.

Partners

Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald at the HANSE-Clinic Stralsund; Freie Universität Berlin