Coping and Resilience: PTSD Screening and Brief Intervention for Underrepresented Students at a Public University. Issue 4 (20th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Acuña, M Alejandra; Franke, Todd M; Lipscomb, Allen E
• Is Part Of: Social work. Volume 67:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 321
• Page End: 330
• Publication Date: 2022-07-20
• Subjects: Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools adaptation -- foster youth -- PTSD intervention -- PTSD screening and treatment in higher education -- underrepresented college students; Social service -- Periodicals; Social service -- United States -- Periodicals; Social policy -- Periodicals; Social problems -- Periodicals; 361.3
• DOI: 10.1093/sw/swac029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0037-8046

Abstract

Abstract: The undetected and untreated PTSD symptoms (difficulty paying attention, nightmares and difficulty sleeping, irritability or aggression, flashbacks, diminished interest in activities, self-destructive behavior, and feeling isolated) of college students may interfere with their relationships, well-being, learning, and academic success. To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of providing a short-term trauma-specific evidence-based group intervention, Coping & Resilience (C&R), an adaptation of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) was implemented at a large urban public university. Fifty college students (54 percent male, 90 percent students of color), with a mean PTSD symptom score of 34 at pretest (considered in the moderate range of symptom severity) participated in C&R groups. As expected, student PTSD symptoms improved after group participation. A Quade test showed a significant decrease in the scores from pretest to follow-up for PTSD and two subscales (intrusion and avoidance). Large public universities serving underrepresented students are uniquely positioned to become trauma- and resilience-informed systems and to provide trauma support services to promote student well-being.