Psychosocial Effects of the Group Therapy on Adolescents after an Earthquake: A Systematic Review

This study aims to examine the psychosocial effects of group therapy interventions with adolescents following large-scale traumatic events such as earthquakes. A systematic review of scientific articles published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted. A total of eight studies that met the inclusion criteria and were accessed from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases were included in the review. The therapeutic interventions administered encompassed a range of approaches, including cognitive‒behavioral therapy (CBT), art therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), psychoeducation, and sand tray therapy. The findings indicated that CBT and EMDR were the most efficacious approaches for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, whereas art therapy and sand tray therapy facilitated emotional expression and psychological resilience. The results suggest that group therapy plays an important role in reducing emotional and behavioral problems experienced after trauma, especially through cognitive‒behavioral therapy, art therapy, and play therapy. However, emphasis is placed on the necessity for further investigation into the long-term effects of group therapy interventions. This systematic review underscores the importance of group therapy interventions for adolescents in the aftermath of earthquakes, offering guidance for the development of future interventions.