Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Development of a Model and Application with a Population of Women Who Have Survived Interpersonal Truama

Background and purpose: The trauma-related effects of interpersonal violence have serious intergenerational ramifications for family and society. In the past several years, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), originally designed for those dealing with chronic illnesses, has been offered to individuals with histories of surviving interpersonal violence, and several outcome studies have been presented in this area. Yet, to be optimally effective as a phase I model of trauma-informed treatment, MBSR should be modified to address the unique needs of this vulnerable population. To that end, this researcher has designed and evaluated a trauma-informed MBSR (TI-MBSR) model for a sample of female trauma survivors, using a mixed quantitative-qualitative methodology to assess the effects of the intervention on inter- and intra-personal flourishing.

Methods: Participants for this waitlist control pilot randomized control trial were recruited from a community based sample and the intervention took place in a municipal community center. Quantitative pre and post scores for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and disrupted attachment were measured for all participants. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare change scores for intervention and control groups. Qualitative phenomenological interviews were conducted to deepen and enrich quantitative and second and third person findings. Analysis distilled the essence of the lived experiences of the intervention group participants as they move through the intervention based on their retrospective reflection.

Results: Participation in TI-MBSR was associated with significant decreases in depression, PTSD, and disrupted attachment showing large effect sizes. Moreover, qualitative interviews revealed shared experience of change in view of relationship to trauma-related symptomology and coping, view of self, and relationships with others.

Conclusion & Implications: Integrating psychoeducation based on a psychodynamic, cognitive, relational, and neurophysiological trauma-frameworks into traditional mindfulness training curricula creates a strong phase I model of trauma-informed intervention for survivors of interpersonal trauma. The present work has implications for mental health service delivery for survivors of interpersonal violence.