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

Kjerst Olstad; Torgeir Sørensen; Lars Lien; Lars Johan Danbolt

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.946394

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

Front Psychol. 2023 May 5:14:946394. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.946394. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Kjerst Olstad^{1

2}, Torgeir Sørensen³, Lars Lien⁴, Lars Johan Danbolt^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway.
² Faculty of Health Science, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway.
³ Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Hamar, Norway.
⁴ MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Majorstuen, Oslo, Norway.

Abstract

Background: Developmental 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.

Method: Semi-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.

Results: A 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.

Conclusion: Based 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.

Keywords: adolescents; developmental trauma disorder; self-understandings; systematic text condensation; therapy.