Journal of Traumatic Stress
Volume 23, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 437-445

Narrative exposure therapy for 7- to 16-year-olds: A randomized controlled trial with traumatized refugee children (Article)

Ruf M.* , Schauer M. , Neuner F. , Catani C. , Schauer E. , Elbert T.
  • a Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Vivo, Germany
  • b Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Vivo, Germany
  • c Vivo and Department of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, Germany
  • d Vivo and Department of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, Germany
  • e Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Vivo, Germany
  • f Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz and Vivo, Germany

Abstract

The authors examined the effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy for children (KIDNET) in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugee children living in exile. Twenty-six children traumatized by organized violence were randomly assigned to KIDNET or to a waiting list. Significant treatment by time interactions on all PTSD-relevant variables indicated that the KIDNET group, but not the controls, showed a clinically significant improvement in symptoms and functioning. Success of the KIDNET group remained stable at 12-month follow-up. This study confirms previous findings that, if left untreated, PTSD in children may persist for an extended period. However, it also shows that it is possible to effectively treat chronic PTSD and restore functioning in traumatized refugee children in only 8 treatment sessions. Copyright © 2010 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

civil disorder Germany Civil Disorders refugee controlled clinical trial psychological aspect clinical trial methodology Implosive Therapy behavior therapy Follow-Up Studies follow up human Life Change Events Refugees life event war violence controlled study randomized controlled trial Adaptation, Psychological chronic disease Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female personality test adaptive behavior verbal communication Narration Article migration posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic personality assessment Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77957375786&doi=10.1002%2fjts.20548&partnerID=40&md5=368f10a1353bb7680aad6e6cce8d8b43
DOI: 10.1002/jts.20548
ISSN: 08949867
Cited by: 103
Original Language: English