Authors

  1. Volpe, Ellen M. PhD, FNP
  2. Quinn, Camille R. PhD, LCSW
  3. Resch, Kathryn BA
  4. Sommers, Marilyn S. PhD, RN, FAANP
  5. Wieling, Elizabeth PhD, LMFT
  6. Cerulli, Catherine JD, PhD

Abstract

Pregnant and parenting adolescents experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its sequelae posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is an innovative intervention that has demonstrated strong preliminary evidence in improving mental health. The specific aims of this article are 3-fold: (1) provide a brief background about IPV-related PTSD and depression among pregnant and parenting adolescents; (2) describe NET's theoretical principles, its therapeutic process, and provide a review of existing evidence; and (3) discuss NET as a potential treatment to address the mental health burden among adolescents experiencing IPV-related PTSD and depression.