Studies of psychosocial or mental health treatment interventions in children (specified as primary or secondary beneficiaries) exposed to protracted violence or long-term complex emergencies in low- and middle-income countries (as defined by the World Bank 2007) were eligible for inclusion. A large proportion of included studies related to former Yugoslavia. Most included interventions targeted post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, generic emotional, social and behavioural problems, and stressors. Interventions were mostly targeted at groups and comprised a variety of components, including educational, recreational, crisis management and psychotherapy elements. The age range of participants was six to 17 years.
Two reviewers selected studies for inclusion in the review.