Psychophysiological Trajectories of Trauma Recovery: A Process-Oriented Randomized Comparison of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotion-Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection (EFT-SCP) in Traumatized Adolescents
摘要
This randomized trial compared the efficacy of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotion-Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection (EFT-SCP) on psychophysiological stress reactivity, anger rumination, and fear of compassion among adolescents with family-related traumatic experiences. From 180 screened adolescents in Out-Of-Home Care (OOHC), 75 were randomized, with 67 participants (IFS = 23, EFT-SCP = 22, Control = 22) completing the two-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using Multivariate Repeated-Measures Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). Findings revealed significant group-by-time interactions (p < .001). Psychologically, EFT-SCP demonstrated superior immediate post-test efficacy in reducing anger rumination and fear of compassion. However, the IFS group exhibited an incremental improvement trajectory, significantly outperforming EFT-SCP at follow-up in reducing perceived stress reactivity and fear of compassion. Physiologically, while both interventions decreased autonomic arousal, no significant difference in GSR was observed at post-test. Notably, only at follow-up did the IFS group achieve a more stable and superior reduction in physiological stress reactivity (GSR) compared to EFT-SCP. EFT-SCP facilitates rapid psychological stabilization, whereas IFS promotes progressive, long-term transformations across both subjective and physiological markers. This underscores the need for multi-level, process-oriented interventions to address the complex psychosocial consequences of childhood trauma.