SPARCS: Structured Psychotherapy for
Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress
 

Research on the Components and Implementation of SPARCS (NCTSN, 2012):

• Ford, J., Blaustein, M., Cloitre, M., Habib, M., Kagan, R. (in press). Developmental 
      Trauma Disorder-Focused Interventions for Traumatized Children and Adolescents. 
       In: J.D. Ford & C. A. Courtois (Eds), Treating complex traumatic stress disorders in 
       children: An evidence-based guide, NY: Guilford Press.

• DeRosa, R. & Pelcovitz. D. (2008). Igniting SPARCS of change: Structured 
      psychotherapy for adolescents responding to chronic stress. In J. Ford, R. Pat-Horenczyk & D. Brom                (Eds.), Treating traumatized children: risk, resilience and 
      recovery, NY: Routledge. 

• DeRosa, R., Habib, M., Pelcovitz, D., Rathus J., Sonnenklar,J., Ford, J., Sunday, S., 
      Layne, C., Saltzman, W., Turnbull, A., Labruna, V. & Kaplan, S. (2005). Structured 
      Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress: A Treatment Guide. 
      Unpublished manual. 

Case Studies, Pilot Studies, and Clinical Trials (NCTSN, 2012):​

• Briggs-King, E. & Shaw, L. (2009). Durham County ABC Board Year End Report. Unpublished Report. Center      for Child and Family Health, Durham, N.C.

• DeRosa, R. & Pelcovitz, D. (2006). Treating traumatized adolescent mothers: a structured approach. In: N.         Webb (Ed.), Working with traumatized youth in child welfare, NY: Guilford Press, 219-245.

• Habib, M., Labruna, V., & Newman, J. (Manuscript submitted for publication). Complex Histories and                 Complex Presentations: Implementation of a Manually-Guided Group Treatment for Traumatized                     Adolescents. Journal of Family Violence.

• Knoverek, A., Underwood, L., Habib, M., Briggs, E. (Manuscript in preparation). Feasibility and Effectiveness     of an Adapted Group Treatment for Traumatized Youth.

• Mental Health Services & Policy Program & Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (2008). Final         evaluation of the pilot implementation of three evidence-based practices for the treatment of trauma             among youth in child welfare. Unpublished report.

• Tandon SD, Mendelson T, Mance G. (2011). Acceptability and preliminary outcomes of a peer-led                     depression intervention for African American adolescents and young adults in employment training                 programs. Journal of Community Psychology, 39, 621-628.

• Weiner, D., Schneider, A., and Lyons, J. (2009) Evidence-based treatments for trauma among culturally               diverse foster care youth: Treatment retention and outcomes. Children and Youth Services Review, 31,          1199-1205

​

Research Outcomes (NCTSN, 2012, Pg. 6-7)

• "Pilot data indicate significant improvement in overall functioning over the course of treatment (as measured by the Youth Outcome Questionnaire SR-2.0 and the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index). Specific findings include:"

  • ​Significant changes on subscales measuring conduct problems, inattention/
       hyperactivity, somatic complaints, high risk behaviors, and interpersonal relationships.

  • Significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, with improvements noted in the overall 
       severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as scores assessing symptoms related to re-                 experiencing, avoidance, and hyper-arousal.

• "For African-American Adolescents, youth receiving SPARCS "​

  • Were less likely to drop from treatment"​

  • Improved significantly on the following CANS subscales: Traumatic Stress Symptom, Life Domain                Functioning, and Risk Behaviors.

• "The various studies conducted also found:

  • Decreased alcohol and drug use with 75% of adolescents reporting a decrease in 
      frequency following treatment.​

  • Significant reduction in attachment difficulties and in behavior problems at 
      school, home, and in the community

  • Decrease in disciplinary referrals in an alternative school

  • Significant improvement in interpersonal coping and an increase in support 
      seeking behavior

  • Significant decrease in depressive symptoms in youth exposed to community 
      violence and increase in active coping strategies"