Key points of interest:

• The effects of NET may be improved by tailor-made or culturally sensitive interventions that address shame, guilt, disgust and cognitions about safety, trust, power, self-esteem, and intimacy.

• Building trust and taking time to pace the therapeutic process is particularly important when treating survivors of torture.

Abstract

Introduction:

The World Assumption Scale (WAS) is a frequently used measure in trauma research. The 32 items of the WAS are intended to represent eight assumptions about the benevolence of the world, the meaningfulness of events, and the worthiness of the self. Debate about the validity of the WAS is ongoing, particularly in terms of its empirical factor structure; some studies have confirmed a model of eight correlated factors whereas several other studies have not.

Unaccompanied refugee minors where confronted with war, terror or disaster in their country. Forced by attrocious circumstances, they had to edcape their homeland and to migate to other an often unfamiliar countries or even continents.

The psychosocial and mental health support system in Afghanistan has evolved significantly over the last decades. Inge Missmahl, founder and director of the International Psychosocial Organisation gGmbH traces the history of the sector over the last fourteen years and reflects on working towards the long-term integration of biopsychosocial mental health care in the Afghan Public Health System. Health system integration was accomplished through development and training delivery of a value-based counselling approach.