Addressing Heightened Levels of Aggression in Traumatized Offenders With Psychotherapeutic Means

University of Konstanz

Status: Completed

Conditions: Appetitive Aggression

Treatments: Behavioral: FORNET (adapted version)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02992561

FORNET1617

Details and patient eligibility

About

Heightened levels of aggression are fuelling violent incidents at all levels, especially in post-war regions. Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation (FORNET) aims to address trauma symptoms along with reactive and instrumental/appetitive aggression to encounter the downward cycle of perpetration and enforce a sustainable (re-)integration into civil life. In the present study, the investigators provide an adapted version of FORNET to former combatants in the North Kivu, Eastern DR Congo. Structured baseline, 3 and 6 month follow up interviews will be administered to assess the main outcome measures recent violent acts and appetitive aggression.

Full description

Participants will be recruited through local NGOs and eligible clients randomized to the treatment or waitlist control group, respectively. The treatment will be provided by supervised local counsellors after a 4-week training. At baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow up, sociodemographic data, trauma exposure, perpetrated violent acts, PTSD, recent aggression, functionality and drug dependency will be assessed. The interviews will be conducted by blind Congolese psychological interviewers after an intensive 3-weeks training and continuous supervision.

Enrollment: 402 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 16 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Eligibility criteria

• Former participant of an armed group in DR Congo
• Involvement in violent attacks

Inclusion Criteria:

• PTSD diagnosis or AAS sum score of 22 or higher

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute intoxification (alcohol or other drugs)
• Acute psychotic symptoms
• Sign of cerebro-organic diseases

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

402 participants in 2 patient groups

Narrative Exposure Therapy (FORNET, adapted version)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Version of Narrative Exposure Therapy for Forensic Offender Rehabilitation including one lifeline session and 5 exposure sessions as well as 6 group sessions adapted from behavioral-therapy approaches for addiction problems.

Treatment:

Behavioral: FORNET (adapted version)

Waitlist control or treatment as usual

No Intervention group

Description:

No intervention or non-specific measures of support on request