Memory-focused therapy: an integrated intervention to reduce trauma symptoms, maladaptive cognitive processes, and emotional distress in Afghan youth - Takeaways - MDSpire

Memory-focused therapy: an integrated intervention to reduce trauma symptoms, maladaptive cognitive processes, and emotional distress in Afghan youth

  • By

  • Sayed Jafar Ahmadi

  • Zeinab Musavi

  • Sayed Abbas Sarwary

  • Delawar Khan Ebrahimi

  • Adam D. Brown

  • Justin Dainer-Best

  • Laura Jobson

  • July 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Afghan youth experience high rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to chronic war-related trauma and disrupted support systems.

  • 2

    Memory-Focused Therapy (MFT) was evaluated for its efficacy and acceptability among youth affected by the Kaaj Education Center attack.

  • 3

    Quantitative results indicated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and stress following MFT, with some improvements maintained at follow-up.

  • 4

    Qualitative findings revealed themes related to facilitator experiences, cognitive and emotional processing improvements, and growth in meaning and relationships.

  • 5

    MFT aims to address cognitive disruptions in trauma memory processing, emotional regulation, and future-oriented meaning-making to enhance resilience.

Original Source(s)

Memory-focused therapy: an integrated intervention to reduce trauma symptoms, maladaptive cognitive processes, and emotional distress in Afghan youth

  • by Sayed Jafar Ahmadi, Zeinab Musavi, Sayed Abbas Sarwary, Delawar Khan Ebrahimi, Adam D. Brown, Justin Dainer-Best, Laura Jobson

  • July 8, 2026

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