Cognitive behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders in women and girls living with female genital mutilation: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is associated with psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), depression, and anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an empirically supported form of psychotherapy, may be an effective treatment for these psychological sequelae of FGM.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of CBT among individuals living with any type of FGM and diagnosed to have PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders.

Search strategies: CENTRAL, Medline, African Index Medicus, SCOPUS, PILOTS, POPLINE, PsycINFO, WHOLIS, LILACS, ERIC, NYAM Library, CINAHL, Web of Science were searched from inception up to August 10, 2015.

Selection criteria: Both randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing the efficacy of CBT to other forms of interventions for PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders in individuals with FGM, were systematically reviewed.

Data collection and analysis: We did not identify any studies with eligible design that addressed the objective of the review.

Main results: There are no included studies.

Conclusion: Future studies need to look beyond establishing the prevalence and correlates of FGM to conducting well-designed, randomized controlled studies or well-designed interventional observational studies for the management of the psychological consequences of women and girls living with FGM.

Prospero registration: CRD42015024458.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Depression; Female genital mutilation; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Psychiatric.