Narrative Exposure Therapy to Address PTSD Symptomology With Refugee and Migrant Children and Youth: A Review

• Published in: Traumatology (Tallahassee, Fla.) Fla.), 2024-09, Vol.30 (3), p.260-273
• Main Author: Samarah, Esaa Mohammad Sabti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer Searching; Exposure Therapy; Human; Human Migration; Narrative Therapy; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Refugees; Symptoms; Trauma; Treatment Effectiveness Evaluation; Violence
• ISSN: 1085-9373; 1085-9373
• DOI: 10.1037/trm0000427

Evidence suggests that narrative exposure therapy (NET) is an effective treatment to address trauma among diverse populations of adults who are refugees; however, less is known about the efficacy of NET to address trauma symptoms among children who are refugees. This review aimed to evaluate existing research on the effectiveness of NET for children and youth aged 18 years and younger who are refugees or migrants seeking shelter from violence. A review of the literature was conducted using the search terms "narrative exposure therapy or narrative exposure or narrative therapy" and "refugee children or migrant children" located in titles and abstracts. Methodological search filters were used to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Publications were limited to English language journal articles published between January 2000 and December 2021. This search was initiated in February 2022 and completed in March 2022. Four RCT studies met the inclusion criteria. The identified studies were conducted using diverse samples of children. Significant posttreatment differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology between NET and comparator groups were found in two of four studies. Two additional RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of NET on treating trauma among both children and young adults were included as supplemental evidence. Significant posttreatment differences were found in both studies. Considerations for clinical relevance and future research are discussed. In conclusion, these results highlight the limited number of RCTs available on this topic. There exists a need for rigorous research exploring the use of NET with children and youth who are refugees with a focus on decreasing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.