Supporting trauma-informed recovery care through clinical feedback in community mental health research.

OBJECTIVE

The present study evaluated the feasibility of integrating a clinical feedback mechanism into trauma-focused psychosocial recovery research.

METHODS

Ethnoculturally diverse mental health consumers (N = 172) participating in a study of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder were provided the option to have their personal research data disclosed to their treatment providers to guide recovery treatment.

RESULTS

The majority of consumers (68%) requested that researchers disclose their personal trauma information to their treatment providers. Disclosure rates were similar across gender and racial background; however, rates were significantly higher for consumers exposed versus not exposed to childhood sexual abuse (81% vs. 64%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Study findings suggest that consumers are open to sharing sensitive information collected during research participation including history of trauma exposure and trauma-related difficulties with recovery providers, and support the viability of incorporating individualized clinical feedback into trauma research to promote recovery care.