Complex-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Cultural Adaptation of a Therapeutic Manual and Development of a Culture-specific Diagnostic Module for Refugee Populations in Switzerland (Pilot Trial)

Eva Heim

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Enhanced Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation combined with Modified Prolonged Exposure (ESTAIR/MPE)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05917613

2023-00464

Details and patient eligibility

About

In January 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This diagnostic manual includes the new diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). This new diagnostic category describes difficulties that may arise as a result of multiple, prolonged or repeated trauma, from which it is difficult or impossible to escape, such as torture, domestic violence or childhood sexual abuse. People affected by CPTSD often have difficulty regulating their emotions and maintaining relationships with others, and they often show a negative self-concept.

Evidence from the field of cultural clinical psychology indicates cultural variation in the CPTSD symptoms across different cultural groups. In addition, psychopathology is shaped by structural factors such as inequality and/or discrimination.

This research project aims to highlight such cultural and structural aspects related to PTSD and CPTSD among refugee populations in Switzerland. A diagnostic interview and a therapeutic manual will be culturally adapted and pilot tested with a small sample (n = 24).

Enrollment: 24 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Refugees and asylum seekers from the greater Middle Eastern and Northern Africa (MENA) region, regardless of their residence permit. The four languages that will be used for the planned project are: Farsi/Dari, Arabic, Turkish, and Kurdish (Kurmanji).
• "High risk" (i.e., minimally 8 points) on the questionnaire Process of Recognition and Orientation of Torture Victims in European Countries to facilitate Care and Treatment (PROTECT);
• age 18 or older;
• informed consent signed

Exclusion criteria

• imminent risk of suicide;
• acute psychosis;
• severe alcohol and/or drug addiction.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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24 participants in 1 patient group

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Psychotherapy

Treatment:

Behavioral: Enhanced Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation combined with Modified Prolonged Exposure (ESTAIR/MPE)