Research Proposal

Research Question: Does trauma-informed group therapy, utilizing evidence-based practices like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Seeking Safety, significantly reduce symptoms of trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, and recidivism among justice-involved adults, while promoting community reintegration?

Hypotheses: H1: Justice-involved adults participating in trauma-informed group therapy will demonstrate a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety compared to a control group receiving standard care.  H2: Participants in trauma-informed group therapy will exhibit decreased substance use and improved adherence to community supervision requirements compared to the control group. H3: Trauma-informed group therapy will lead to a lower rate of recidivism among participants compared to the control group at a 12-month follow-up. H4: Participants in the trauma-informed group therapy will report higher levels of self-efficacy, empowerment, and prosocial skills at post-treatment and follow-up compared to the control group.    

Methodology

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Participants: Justice-involved adults (e.g., individuals on probation, parole, or in a diversion program) with a history of trauma.

Sample Size: Power analysis to determine the necessary sample size to detect statistically significant differences between groups.

Groups

Experimental Group: Trauma-informed group therapy (12-16 sessions) incorporating CPT and Seeking Safety principles, with a focus on creating a safe environment, emotional regulation, and prosocial skills development.    

Control Group: Standard care, which may include individual counseling, psychoeducation, or other services typically provided within the justice system.

Assessments

Baseline: Demographic information, trauma history, measures of PTSD (e.g., PCL-5), depression (e.g., PHQ-9), anxiety (e.g., GAD-7), substance use (e.g., AUDIT), and self-efficacy (e.g., GSES).

Post-Treatment: Repeat of baseline measures, plus measures of prosocial skills and group process.

Follow-up: (6-month and 12-month): Repeat of baseline measures and recidivism data (e.g., arrests, violations).

Intervention Fidelity

Therapist training and supervision to ensure consistent delivery of the trauma-informed group therapy model. Treatment fidelity checks through session observations or recordings.

Data Analysis

Quantitative analysis using statistical methods such as ANOVA, t-tests, and chi-square tests to compare outcomes between groups.

Survival analysis to compare recidivism rates.

Qualitative data from focus groups or interviews to explore participants' experiences in the group therapy.

Timeline

6-month: Ethics approval and recruitment

12-month: Baseline assessments and group therapy intervention

18-month: Post-treatment assessments

24-month: 6-month follow-up assessments

30-month: 12-month follow-up assessments

36-month: Data analysis and report writing

Expected Outcomes: This research will provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of trauma-informed group therapy in improving outcomes for justice-involved adults with trauma histories. The findings will inform clinical practice and policy decisions regarding the implementation of trauma-informed care within the justice system.