Trauma symptoms, recovery, and participation in the Wellness Management and Recovery (WMR) program

ABSTRACT Despite the disproportionate prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), and the emergence of effective trauma-specific treatments for comorbid PTSD/SMI, PTSD remains undertreated in this population. Literature points to two reasons for such: underdiagnosing of PTSD among individuals with SMI, and lack of clinician confidence/training in trauma-specific issues. A meta-analysis found non-trauma-specific groups reduced trauma symptoms in non-SMI populations. Against this backdrop, the purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals with SMI and trauma symptoms reported reduced trauma symptoms following completion of a non-trauma-specific, recovery-focused group treatment, the Wellness Management and Recovery (WMR) program. Pre- and post-WMR data were obtained from 54 participants via the Mental Health Recovery Measure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Participants reported significant improvements in mental health recovery, and significant decreases in trauma symptoms. Results suggested that WMR—a non-trauma-specific group program—may offer promise in reducing trauma symptoms among individuals with SMI who may not have access to evidence-based trauma-specific treatments and/or who may not wish to specifically address trauma issues. Further exploration of the potential of WMR participation to reduce trauma symptoms among individuals with SMI is warranted.