Transformative Effects of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on Psychological Distress among Adolescents in Orphanages — paving the way to turn Wounded into Warriors

Abstract

Background . Psychological distress represents a critical mental health challenge among adolescents in orphanages, with those in Nigeria’s Ibadan Metropolis facing particularly severe impacts. Th ese vulnerable youth navigate life without traditional family support systems, experiencing heightened psychological distress from complex trauma, rejection, and institutional challenges. While previous research has identi fi ed causative and protective factors, intervention studies examining psychological treatments remain notably scarce. Objective . Th is study examined the e ff ectiveness of Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Th erapy (TF-CBT) in managing psychological distress among orphaned adolescents in Ibadan, with additional focus on the moderating role of social support. Design . Grounded in John Bowlby’s Attachment Th eory, this research employed an experimental design with pretest-posttest methodology. Th ree Local Government Areas in Ibadan were randomly selected, with one orphanage randomly chosen from each LGA using simple random sampling techniques. Seventy-one adolescents were screened using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ( α = 0.81), with 57 participants scoring above the threshold of 30.0 selected for inclusion. Participants were randomly assigned to TF-CBT intervention (n = 39) and Control groups (n = 18). Data collection used validated instruments: the Children and Adolescents’ Psychological Distress Scale ( α = 0.74), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) ( α = 0.87). Th e eight-week intervention was implemented with quantitative data