Narrative Exposure Therapy for the treatment of aggression and trauma

What is it about?

War exposes people to life-threatening experiences that, if repeated, destroy mental health and physical well-being. Survivors may feel threatened, even after having reached a safe and peaceful environment. To counter this supposed danger, aggressive reactive behavior becomes more likely. Moreover, former combatants may be motivated by appetitive aggression, i.e., by earlier experiences of "blood-lust" to become violent even after the conflict is over. Narrative Exposure Therapy encourages the conscious processing of these experiences. In child and adult former combatants in war-torn regions of the DR Congo we showed that NET, adapted for ex-combatants and compared with treatment as usual, can substantially reduce trauma-related suffering and control violent behavior. Substance abuse and depression also decreased, and perceived social acknowledgement increased. NET can help to overcome reactive and appetitive aggression that hinder demobilization, reintegration, and peacebuilding.

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Photo by Charl Folscher on Unsplash

Photo by Charl Folscher on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We show that aggression and violence can be effectively treated when the individual's personal trauma history is addressed in parallel. This treatment was effective despite the fact that the environment remained unstable.

Perspectives