Pathway-Matched Resilience-Oriented Therapy in Rwanda

Summary

This pragmatic, pathway-stratified, cluster-randomized waitlist-controlled trial evaluated Resilience-Oriented Therapy (RoT), a culturally adapted group-based psychosocial intervention for post-genocide Rwanda. Community screening assigned eligible adults to one of three RoT variant pathways based on presenting profile: emotion regulation, identity development, or behavioural self-management. Within each pathway, local clusters were randomized to immediate RoT or waitlist control. The baseline cohort included 427 participants across 52 clusters in five Rwandan districts. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediate post-intervention endline from April to September 2023.

Conditions

• Mental Health
• Psychological Trauma
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Aggression
• Substance-related Disorders
• Psychosocial Functioning

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Resilience-Oriented Therapy - Emotion-Regulation Variant

RoT-ER is a culturally adapted, group-based psychosocial intervention variant focused on internalizing distress. Sessions emphasize psychoeducation, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, self-care and resilience practices, hope and agency, and group-based social support.

BEHAVIORAL

Resilience-Oriented Therapy - Identity-Development Variant

RoT-ID is a culturally adapted, group-based psychosocial intervention variant focused on alienation, shame, emptiness, identity disturbance, and belonging-related difficulties. Sessions emphasize coherent self-understanding, constructive social identity, relational repair, and resilience practices.

BEHAVIORAL

Resilience-Oriented Therapy - Behavioural Self-Management Variant

RoT-BSM is a culturally adapted, group-based psychosocial intervention variant focused on aggression, alcohol or substance misuse, impulse regulation, accountability, and interpersonal responsibility. Sessions emphasize self-management, responsible relationships, and reintegration into family and community life.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Rwanda

  collaborator OTHER

• Interpeace

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Alexandros Lordos, PhD

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alexandros Lordos, PhD · University of Cyprus

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-04-28

Primary Completion

2023-09-15

Completion

2023-09-15

Countries

• Rwanda

Study Locations