Volpe study published in Journal of Family Violence

By Sarah Goldthrite

Assistant Professor Ellen Volpe’s co-authored study examines the feasibility of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) among adolescents who experienced intimate partner violence and are at risk for PTSD and depression. NET is an exposure therapy used to treat survivors of multiple or complex traumas that emphasizes documentation and fosters a re-processing of traumatic memories. The results of the study will inform future steps in NET implementation, training and education among this population.

Many urban, low-income adolescents experience violence, often resulting in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) facilitates therapeutic processing of traumatic memories. This purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of NET among adolescents at-risk for PTSD and depression. Two community-based agencies hosted five focus groups with adolescents (n = 28), aged 18–21, predominantly African- American (71 %) and female (61 %) and one with adolescent service providers (n = 11). Pope’s coding framework (2000) and the Socio-Ecological Model for violence prevention (Krug et al. in The Lancet, 360(9339), 1083–1088, 2002) elicited perceived barriers and facilitators to NET. Individual, relationship, and community level barriers and facilitators to NET therapy engagement were identified. The findings indicate participants have favorable attitudes about NET and the provision of the therapy within trusted community agencies. The results will inform the next steps of NET implementation, training, and psychoeducation.

Volpe, E., Quinn, C., Resch, K., & Cerulli, C. (2016). Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of narrative Exposure Therapy to address IPV-related mental health in parenting and pregnant adolescents. Journal of Family Violence, 1-14. doi:10.1007/s10896-016-9818-y