5
probable that any improvement seen as a consequence of the therapy was likely to be due to the
therapy, and not to normal life changes.
The findings supported the conclusions that the intervention was successful in treating survivors. These
were all patients suffering from chronic disorders, with the onset of the disorders more than 2 decades
ago in some cases, but all had been suffering for longer than a decade. These results showed all cases
improving on all measures, and, importantly in the light of the results of the previously reported
Zimbabwean study9, there was a significant effect of all cases dropping below both 10 and 7 on the
SRQ-20.
Figure 1.
Changes in SRQ-20 scores
16
14
12
Score
10
mean
8
sd
6
4
2
0
SRQ-20(1)
SRQ-20(2)
SRQ-20(3)
SRQ-20(4)
SRQ-20(5)
Occasion of testing.
As can be seen from Figure 1 above, there was a small drop in the SRQ-20 scores after the initial
assessment [SRQ-20(1)], but no case dropped below the clinical threshold, and the most marked
drops in scores occurred after the therapeutic intervention. This is strongly suggestive of a real
therapeutic effect for the treatment approach. There was a small therapeutic effect seen as a result
of assessment, however this did not result in scores dropping below the threshold for disorder, and
the marked changes occurred after the intervention [SRQ-20(2)]. It is also worth commenting that the
most marked changes occurred after six, as opposed to three months, which may also suggest a
9
See again Reeler, A.P., Williams,H., & Todd,C.H.(1990), Controlled trial of nurse treatment of psychological disorders: A rural
primary care study, RESEARCH DAY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE, 15 SEPTEMBER 1990.
AMANI TRUST: Psycho-Social assistance to Survivors of the Liberation War.
A report on Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe.