Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Melinda Haley

Abstract

In state psychiatric hospitals in the United States, many patients are admitted with a history of trauma. Although trauma-focused interventions are offered within these psychiatric facilities, there remain issues with the higher-than-average length of treatment and rehospitalization rates for patients with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder or for those who are suffering with a history of trauma. This study investigated between group differences for measured levels of attendance and type of group intervention (which included the men's trauma recovery empowerment model, dialectical behavior therapy, and art and healing) on the risk for violence as measured by scores on the historical, clinical, and risk-20 (HCR-20 v2) checklist. Participants had documented trauma history as well as mental health disorders including schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. Cognitive behavioral and social learning theory comprised the theoretical foundations for the study. Archival data from the past 6 years included 16 participants from the M-TREM group, 15 participants from the DBT group, and 15 participants from the Art and healing group. Data were used to complete a nonequivalent control group design and data analysis included an ANOVA, correlation, and regression analysis. The results of this study identified a statistically significant difference in risk for violence based on level of attendance but not by type of group intervention. The findings of this study will assist psychiatric hospital administrators and mental health professionals in the development and implementation of effective trauma programming to lower the risk for violence for patients with trauma.

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