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Narrative exposure therapy for 7‐ to 16‐year‐olds: A randomized controlled trial with traumatized refugee children
Author(s) -
Ruf Martina,
Schauer Maggie,
Neuner Frank,
Catani Claudia,
Schauer Elisabeth,
Elbert Thomas
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20548
Subject(s) - refugee , randomized controlled trial , narrative , clinical psychology , posttraumatic stress , psychology , exposure therapy , medicine , el niño , psychiatry , group psychotherapy , suicide prevention , poison control , pediatrics , anxiety , surgery , linguistics , philosophy , environmental health , archaeology , history
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.