Adressing PTSD Symptoms and Aggressive Behavior in Vulnerable Children in Burundi

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Aggressive Behavior
• Interventions: Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET)

• Registration Number: NCT03498482
• Lead Sponsor: University of Konstanz

Brief Summary

Children either living in the streets of Bujumbara or that are similarly affected by extreme poverty or violence are regularly exposed to traumatic events. Additionally, they often find themselves in situations where engaging in violent behavior appears to be useful or even necessary for survival. The Narrative Exposure Therapy for violent offenders (FORNET) aims to reduce both PTSD symptoms and aggressive behavior. It helps the children to anchor fearful experiences and potential positive emotions linked to violent behaviour in the past. Additionally, visions for the future are developed in order to enable reintegration into the family.

The investigators want to provide evidence, that FORNET effectively reduces PTSD symptoms and ongoing aggressive behavior which in change facilitates reintegration into society.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-03-15
• Study First Submitted: 2017-12-22
• Primary Completion: 2018-01-31
• Study Completion: 2018-01-31
• Status Verified: 2018-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-04-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-04-12
• Study First Posted: 2018-04-13
• Last Update Posted: 2018-04-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 19

Inclusion Criteria

• High degree of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder according to UCLA PTSD Reaction Index

Exclusion Criteria

• Psychotic symptoms

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
FORNET	Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET)	During FORNET, the client, with the assistance of the therapist, constructs a chronological narrative of his or her entire life with a focus on exposure to traumatic stress and committed violence. Empathic understanding, active listening, congruency and unconditional positive regard are key components of the therapist's behavior. The therapist asks in detail for the client's emotions, cognitions, physiological reactions, and sensory informations during traumatic and aggressive events to link them to an autobiographical context, namely time and place. In total the individuals receive 8 sessions of FORNET, every session lasting between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on the needs of the participant.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of load of traumatic symptoms measured via the UCLA Adolescent PTSD Index (PTSD scale administered by Clinicians)	baseline; 5 months follow-up; 9 months follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of number of aggressive acts measured via an adaption of the Domestic and Community Violence Checklist	baseline; 5 months follow-up; 9 months follow-up
Change of experienced shame measured via the Shame Variability Questionnaire	baseline; 5 months follow-up; 9 months follow-up

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

vivo international & Psychologues sans Frontières mental health center; 🇧🇮 Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie, Burundi