Using NET to treat Violent Offenders with Post Traumatic Stress
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using Narrative Exposure Therapy to treat Violent Offenders with Post Traumatic Stress and Emotion Dysregulation: A single case study series.
IRAS ID
366069
Contact name
Stephanie Lane
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Lincoln
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 10 days
Research summary
Offenders have experienced more adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) and traumatic life events than those within the general population, indicating that experiences of post-traumatic stress (PTS) may be more prevalent within this group. Research suggests Adverse Childhood Experiences and prolonged trauma in childhood may lead to difficulties in emotion regulation; if levels of ACE’s and traumatic life events are more prevalent in offending populations, this may indicate potential difficulties in emotion regulation.
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is an individual therapy which can help people process traumatic life events, with aim to reduce the distress that these unprocessed memories can cause. This helps us understand a whole person and what has happened in your life as opposed to focusing solely on offending. NET has a growing body of research, including victims of abuse, torture and child soldiers.
This research aims to investigate whether the NET is a feasible intervention to consider within the population of violent offenders. We also aim to investigate whether it is potentially effective in helping to reduce PTS and improve Emotion Regulation in this population. This will be done via a single case series, in which participants will be offered NET to treat symptoms of PTS and emotion dysregulation, outcomes will be evaluated using outcome measures and a post treatment interview.
The purpose of this study is to potentially provide support for a new intervention which has not been evidenced within this population. This would evidence feasibility of this intervention in this context and encourage further research in this area. Furthermore, offender treatment focuses on risk related issues, rather than looking at the whole person. We hope by providing evidence for a more person-centered therapy when working with offenders will offer further understanding for both patients and professionals on how their life experiences have impacted them.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0114
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion