Transcript Dr K. Dillenburger, Mrs R. Akhonzada, & Ms M. Fargas School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work Queen’s University Belfast, UK Aims.

Dr K. Dillenburger, Mrs R. Akhonzada, & Ms M. Fargas
School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Aims of Research
Background
Community violence in Northern Ireland, locally known as the “Troubles”, caused the death of
more than 3600 people (Fay, Morrissey, & Smyth, 1999). This is just one example of recent
man-made or natural disasters that caused large-scale traumatic death. Today, there is a
previously unmatched awareness of the physical and psychological impact of violence. Health
and welfare professionals have become aware that the experience of violent, conflict related
physical and psychological injury and bereavement is much more complex than previously
thought. A range of theories has been developed in an effort to explain the psychological health
consequences of the Troubles (Dillenburger & Keenan, 2001) and a large number of voluntary
groups have been formed aiming to help those affected by the Troubles.
Im pa ct of the Trouble s by Indiv idua ls' Expe rie nce
 The establishment of a comprehensive and detailed overview and categorisation of
therapeutic services offered to people affected by violence in Northern Ireland;
To explore the effectiveness of some of the most commonly used therapeutic services in
regard to achieving their set aims/goals.
Method and Procedure
The project comprises two main phases. In phase one we conducted a survey on 49
voluntary groups using a questionnaire. The second phase of the project involves an indepth exploration of the effectiveness of these services.
14
Service Provision in Northern Ireland
% of sample (Experience)
12
10
A lo t
Q uite a lo t
S ome
A little
V ery little
N one
8
6
4
The most frequently used services were befriending, advice and information, support and
self-help groups. A substantial number of groups also offered complementary therapies
and narrative work. Fewer groups offered structured therapeutic services such as
counselling or psychotherapy.
2
se rv ice prov ision by groups
0
C omple te c hange
R adic a l c hange
S ome c ha nge
S mall impac t
N ot a t all
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Impact
(Adapted from Morrisey & Smyth, 2002, p 121)
Categorisation of Services
Psychology-based
Group Therapy
Psychotherapy
psychology-based
services
philosophy-based
services
education-based
services
su
pp
or
t- b
re se ef
sp lf- rie
it he n
di
e
l
p
ng
ca
g
re r
/t ou
im ps
yo e
na u -ou
rr th t
at w
iv or
k
co e w
gr un or
co
ou se k
m
pl
p l
em ps th ling
ad e yc e
vi nt ho rap
ce ar th y
an y t era
d he py
in inf rap
di or ie
re m s
ct at
se ion
rv
ic
es
Counselling
community-based
services
s e rv ic e pro v is ion by e s tima te d numbe r o f s e rv ic e
us e rs
4000
3500
Philosophy-based
Complementary therapies
3000
Community-based
services
Psychology-based
services
2500
2000
Philosophy-based
services
1500
1000
Advice & Information
Education-based
services
500
Befriending
Self-help groups
Community-based
su
Indirect services
p
p
o
rt
-
b
Education-based
e
se fri
en
lf
re
d
sp -h
in
e
it
l
g
p
e
ca gr
re ou
p
/t
im s
e
yo -o
u
u
th t
n
a
w
rr
o
a
r
ti
ve k
w
co
or
u
n k
g
ro se
lli
u
co
n
p
g
m
t
p
h
p
e
le sy
ra
c
m
h
en ot py
a
d
ta he
v
ry
ra
ic
e
p
t
y
h
a
n
e
r
d
in ap
i
in for es
m
d
ir
ec ati
o
t
se n
rv
ic
es
0
Conclusion
 Community-based services are the most offered interventions, and “can prove less
stigmatising and more empowering” (Smyth, 2001, p. 63) than psychology-based services,
such as psychotherapy.
 Social support is a key element when coping with traumatic experiences.
Respite Care
Youth Work
 Most people need community and family support and contact networks, as they provide
protection from psychological distress.
 Education-based services, are greatly used by members of most of the groups.
Narrative Work
 Complementary therapies are growing in popularity and are often asked for.
References
Dillenburger, K. & Keenan, M. (2001). Islands of Pain in a Sea of Change: Behaviour Analysis and
Bereavement. European Journal of Behaviour Analysis, 2, 187-207.
Fay, M. T., Morrissey, M., Smyth, M. (1999). Northern Ireland’s Troubles. The Human Costs. London: Pluto
Press.
Morrisey, M & Smith, M. (2002). Northern Ireland After the Good Friday Agreement. Victims, Grievance and
Blame. London: Pluto Press.
Smyth, M. (2001). The ‘discovery’ and treatment of trauma. In Hamber, B., Kulle, D., Wilson, R. (Eds),
Future policies for the past, (Report No. 13), pp. 57-65. Belfast: Democratic Dialogue.
 Within psychology-based interventions, counselling is the service most offered. Some
groups refer their members to outside counsellors or professional psychotherapists.
 There is still no clear evidence of the benefits of those interventions in the Northern Irish
context.
 The rise of these groups that we surveyed is developing into a thriving victims industry and
the need for evidence of effectiveness of the services that they are offering is undeniable.