RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07062042

Empowering Narratives

Styrkende Narrativ: Hjelp Til Selvhjelp for Ukrainske Flyktninger / Empowering Narratives: Help to Self-help to Ukrainian Refugees

Sponsor

Kristiania University College

Enrollment

50 participants

Start Date

Mar 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Depression Disorders Dissociation Refugee

Summary

Background: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in forced displacement, with over 80,000 Ukrainian refugees now residing in Norway. This displacement has led to increased vulnerability to trauma and mental health challenges. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), a short-term trauma-focused intervention, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing PTSD symptoms among individuals exposed to organized violence and war. Aim: The protocol aims to assess the clinical effects of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) on PTSD and depression symptoms among Ukrainian refugees in Norway and to facilitate training and supervised practice for Ukrainian health professionals and workers in using NET. Methods: This study employs a pretest-posttest randomized controlled experimental design. Ukrainian health professionals and workers in Norway will receive standardized NET training through a digital course. Subsequently, they will treat Ukrainian refugees using NET under supervision. Participants will be screened and assessed at three time points: baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 6-month follow-up. Validated questionnaires in Ukrainian and Russian will be used: PHQ-9, ITQ, LEC-5, SHUT-D, and demographic questionnaire. Exclusion criteria include active psychotic spectrum disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and concurrent trauma therapy.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Ukrainian refugee residing in Norway.
Arrival in Norway after 24 February 2022.
Minimum 18 years old
Provided informed consent for participation.
Classified as having PTSD symptoms (ITQ) OR reported traumatic experience (LEC-5) OR present PTSD comorbidities (PHQ-9, Shut-D).

Exclusion Criteria4

Diagnosis, history, or scores compatible with the psychotic spectrum
Diagnostic of neurodevelopmental disorders
Current participation in ongoing trauma-focused psychological treatment (e.g., therapy for PTSD).
Declining consent for mandatory elements of the study (e.g., participation in screening or treatment delivery).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALNarrative Exposure Therapy

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is a short-term, trauma-focused intervention developed for individuals exposed to multiple traumatic events, including refugees and survivors of war and organized violence. It is grounded in principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and testimonial therapy. NET helps adults reconstruct a coherent narrative of their life by integrating fragmented traumatic memories through structured exposure within a chronological autobiographical framework. Core components include lifeline construction, imaginal exposure to traumatic events, and reprocessing of emotional responses. The method emphasizes stabilization through therapeutic structure and is supported by evidence from randomized controlled trials showing reductions in PTSD symptoms. The approach is protocol-driven and applicable in low-resource settings under supervision, as outlined in the practice document.