A randomized controlled pilot study of a single session psychoeducation treatment for urban culturally diverse trauma-exposed adults

摘要

This randomized pilot study aimed to determine whether a single session of psychoeducation improved mental health outcomes, attitudes towards treatment, and service engagement among urban, impoverished, culturally diverse, trauma exposed adults. Sixty-seven individuals were randomly assigned to a single session psychoeducation treatment or a delayed treatment comparison control group. The control group was found to be superior to the treatment group at post-test with respect to symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, occupational and family disability. At follow-up all participants had completed the psychoeducation treatment, and a mixed effects model indicated significant improvements over time in symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, somatization, and attitudes towards treatment. Ninety-eight percent of the participants reported the psychoeducation was helpful at follow-up. Participants also reported a 19.1% increase in mental health service utilization at follow-up compared to baseline. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed.