Adressing PTSD Symptoms and Aggressive Behavior in Vulnerable Children in Burundi

NCT03498482 — Not applicable, Completed, 19 participants, University of Konstanz

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Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Reducing Aggressive Behavior in Street Children and Vulnerable Children in Burundi Using Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation.

Registry	NCT03498482
Status	Completed
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; na, single group, masking: none, treatment
Enrollment	19 (Actual)
Sponsor	University of Konstanz (Other); collaborators: Vivo international e.V., Psychologues sans Frontières Burundi, Université Lumière de Bujumbura
Conditions	Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Aggressive Behavior
Interventions	Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET) (Behavioral)
Dates	start 2017-03-15, primary completion 2018-01-31, completion 2018-01-31, first posted 2018-04-13, last updated 2018-04-13
Locations	1 site in Burundi

-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.

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+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
FORNET	Experimental	Behavioral: 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.

Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET) (Behavioral): FORNET aims to reduce trauma-related symptoms and aggressive behavior via narrative exposure of traumatic and violent life events.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

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 outcomes

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]

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 8 Years to 20 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

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

Exclusion Criteria:

* Psychotic symptoms

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
vivo international & Psychologues sans Frontières mental health center	Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie Province	Burundi