Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care in Early Intervention in Psychosis: State of Implementation and Provider Views on Challenges
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Although trauma is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor for psychosis and for its link to treatment outcomes, the landscape of trauma-related practices in specialized early psychosis services in the United States and other countries remains only poorly characterized. Research documenting the perspectives of frontline providers is also lacking. The primary goals of this study were to document the state of trauma-related policy implementation in early intervention in psychosis (EIP) programs and to gather provider perspectives. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods project involving an international EIP provider survey, followed by in-depth provider interviews. The survey was disseminated in Australia, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In total, 164 providers, representing 110 unique sites, completed the survey. Frequencies were calculated for responses to survey items, and open-ended responses were analyzed with a systematic content analysis. RESULTS: The survey findings suggested low implementation rates for a variety of assessment and support practices related to trauma and trauma-informed care. Coding of open-ended responses revealed numerous concerns and uncertainties among providers regarding the relationship between trauma and psychosis and the state of the EIP field. CONCLUSIONS: An expansion of research and service development aimed at better meeting the trauma-related needs of young people with psychosis is essential, with implications for EIP outcomes and service user and staff experiences.
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A recent study highlighted the necessity of developing tailored adversity-focused treatments for people with early phase psychosis.
“a recent study examining unmet clinical needs in early psychosis programs across five countries highlighted the necessity of developing tailored adversity-focused treatments for people with EPP [21], suggesting a gap in both the research literature and clinical practice.”
From Outcomes of an adapted prolonged exposure psychotherapy for people with early phase psychosis, substance misuse, and a history of adversity: the PE + trial (2024) · cites this paper as [21]
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- Authors
- Wood, H. J., Babusci, C., Bendall, S., Sarpal, D. K., & Jones, N.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Venue
- Psychiatric Services
- Published
- 2023-12-01
- Volume
- 74
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1240-1246
- ISSN
- 0022-1597 (ISSN-L)
- 1075-2730
- 1557-9700
- OpenAlex
- W4376871000
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4
- FWCI
- 3.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychiatric Services (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- trauma-informed care, early intervention in psychosis, trauma, psychosis, provider perspectives, trauma assessment, young people with psychosis
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Humans, Psychotic Disorders, United States, Early Intervention, Educational
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