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Empowering Narratives
Sponsor: Kristiania University College
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.
Official title: Styrkende Narrativ: Hjelp Til Selvhjelp for Ukrainske Flyktninger / Empowering Narratives: Help to Self-help to Ukrainian Refugees
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
50
Start Date
2025-03-01
Completion Date
2026-04-20
Last Updated
2025-08-17
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Narrative 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.
Locations (1)
Kristinia University of Applied Sciences
Oslo, Norway