Mental Health and Aggression in Congolese Ex-combatants

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is examine, whether a treatment approach, which is specifically tailored for perpetrators who have participated in violence (a variant of Narrative Exposure Therapy) is effective in the reduction of instrumental aggression and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Detailed Description
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The reintegration of former child soldiers and ex-combatants is a big challenge in war-torn countries. Former child soldiers and ex-combatants often suffer from mental health problems and show enhanced levels of aggression. The present study focuses on the reduction of appetitive aggression and the improvement of mental health in former child soldiers and ex-combatants in DR Congo.

Conditions
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Appetitive Aggression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: A variant of Narrative Exposure Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Ex-combatants in Congo who live in a re-integration camp

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control Group<br> | |
| Experimental: A variant of Narrative exposure therapy<br> | Behavioral: A variant of Narrative Exposure Therapy<br>* During the proposed therapy, the client constructs a chronological narrative of his or her whole life which includes all traumatic experiences and perpetrated violent acts. All emotions, cognitions, sensory information, and physiological reactions are activated and linked to the autobiographical context.In five sessions the therapist and the client try to go through all important traumatic experiences and perpetrated violent acts. The sixth session is a group session with four to five clients. The group session is oriented on Interpersonal Psychotherapy and focuses on the role change from soldier to civilian.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Appetitive aggression (Appetitive Aggression Scale) |  | 6 months | 
| Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, PDS) |  | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Symptoms of depression (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) |  | 6 months | 
| Functionality (Work and Social Adjustment Scale) |  | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Treatment of ex-combatants, Narrative Exposure Therapy for ex-combatants, Appetitive Aggression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder