Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Depression is commonly comorbid with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. There is a lack of studies evaluating trauma-informed interventions for people with depression and PTSD symptoms. OBJECTIVES: We examined whether an online, easily accessible, trauma psychoeducation program would be helpful for people with both depressive and PTSD symptoms. METHODS: Participants with depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) and co-occurring PTSD symptoms were recruited online and randomly assigned to the intervention group (i.e., a 10-session online program based on Be a Teammate With Yourself ) or the control group. Outcome measures included the Brief-COPE, a subscale of the Endorsed and Anticipated Stigma Inventory, and the Post-traumatic Maladaptive Beliefs Scale. These outcomes were assessed at baseline, posttest, and 2-month follow-up. Qualitative feedback was also obtained from the participants. RESULTS: 35 participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group, and 34 to the control group. With only email reminders, 9 participants in the intervention group and 14 in the control group completed posttest and follow-up surveys. Completers-only analyses were conducted. One-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that the intervention group had significant reductions in post-traumatic maladaptive beliefs, with a large effect size (F = 4.152, p = .035, Partial Eta Squared = 0.342). The control group did not have such changes. Both groups did not have significant changes in coping and self-stigma. Of 12 participants who provided feedback, 100% agreed that the program could help them remain hopeful for recovery, and 91.6% agreed that they were satisfied with the program. The qualitative feedback also supported the usefulness and acceptability of the programme. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in this program was associated with significant decreases in post-traumatic maladaptive beliefs. Completers were satisfied with the program. Given a small sample with a high dropout rate (66.6%), the results should be interpreted with caution. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST: None Declared