Adressing PTSD Symptoms and Aggressive Behavior in Vulnerable Children in Burundi

NCT03498482 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UKCR17
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 19
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Aggressive Behavior

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 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 (2)

• 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

Study Arms (1)

FORNET

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET)

Interventions

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.

FORNET

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

• Psychotic symptoms

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Konstanz: lead
• Vivo international e.V.: collaborator
• Psychologues sans Frontières Burundi: collaborator
• Université Lumière de Bujumbura: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

vivo international & Psychologues sans Frontières mental health center

Bujumbura, Bujumbura Mairie Province, Burundi

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Aggression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Aberrant Motor Behavior in Dementia; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Social Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 22, 2017
• First Posted: April 13, 2018
• Study Start: March 15, 2017
• Primary Completion: January 31, 2018
• Study Completion: January 31, 2018
• Last Updated: April 13, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BU (1)