APPLICATION OF A MODIFIED NARRATIVE EXPOSURE THERAPYIN WORK WITH INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/2616-7786.2025/11-1/12Keywords:
internally displaced persons, psychological support, anxiety, endogenous depression, psychosocial adaptation, exposure-based methodsAbstract
Background. Since 2014, Ukraine has been experiencing an ongoing military conflict, resulting in 3.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) as of March 2025. Elderly women among the displaced population often face difficulties integrating into new communities due to emotional and psychological burdens. Therefore, identifying effective psychological support methods for this vulnerable group is crucial. One such approach is Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), adapted to the Ukrainian cultural context.
Methods. The study involved 75 internally displaced women aged 50 to 75. Participants were divided into two groups: one received group art therapy and support, while the other underwent individual narrative exposure therapy (5 to 10 sessions). Psychological assessment included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the DEPS depression scale, administered before and after the intervention.
Results. Both therapeutic interventions showed statistically significant reductions in anxiety. In the NET group, anxiety scores decreased from 16,11 to 12,57 (p ≤ 0,05); in the art therapy group, from 17,28 to 14,43 (p ≤ 0.05). However, only the art therapy group showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. In the NET group, depression levels did not show statistically significant changes, likely due to the presence of untreated clinical depression in five participants who declined psychiatric medication. No participant in the NET group discontinued therapy, indicating high acceptability.
Conclusions. Modified narrative exposure therapy is effective in reducing anxiety among elderly IDPs, especially those reluctant to engage in conventional forms of therapy. The method is well-accepted by clients but does not significantly alleviate depressive symptoms, particularly in cases of endogenous depression. Thus, NET should be complemented with pharmacological support when applied to clinically depressed individuals. The findings highlight the relevance of further research on NET as a psychosocial support strategy for war-affected populations.
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