Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume 72, Issue 4, 2004, Pages 579-587

A comparison of narrative exposure therapy, supportive counseling, and psychoeducation for treating posttraumatic stress disorder in an African refugee settlement (Article)

Neuner F.* , Schauer M. , Klaschik C. , Karunakara U. , Elbert T.
  • a University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany, Vivo, Cupramontana, Italy, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
  • b University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany, Vivo, Cupramontana, Italy, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
  • c University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany, Vivo, Cupramontana, Italy, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
  • d Vivo, Cupramontana, Italy, Johns Hopkins Univ. Sch. Pub. Hlth., United States, Medecins sans Frontieres, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • e University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany, Vivo, Cupramontana, Italy, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany

Abstract

Little is known about the usefulness of psychotherapeutic approaches for traumatized refugees who continue to live in dangerous conditions. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is a short-term approach based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and testimony therapy. The efficacy of narrative exposure therapy was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. Sudanese refugees living in a Ugandan refugee settlement (N = 43) who were diagnosed as suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) either received 4 sessions of NET, 4 sessions of supportive counseling (SC), or psychoeducation (PE) completed in 1 session. One year after treatment, only 29% of the NET participants but 79% of the SC group and 80% of the PE group still fulfilled PTSD criteria. These results indicate that NET is a promising approach for the treatment of PTSD for refugees living in unsafe conditions.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

witness Negro refugee controlled clinical trial clinical trial behavior therapy human Refugees controlled study randomized controlled trial psychiatric diagnosis social support cognitive therapy intermethod comparison diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Uganda narrative exposure therapy psychotherapy patient counseling Humans male counseling female safety Narration patient education Article Questionnaires adult health education major clinical study posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Emigration and Immigration psychotrauma Sudan
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-3342903493&doi=10.1037%2f0022-006X.72.4.579&partnerID=40&md5=f12bfb97e60946ef2ef52f057eb24866
DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.72.4.579
ISSN: 0022006X
Cited by: 316
Original Language: English