Online trauma psychoeducation for adults with PTSD symptoms : a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This trial evaluated whether an online trauma psychoeducation program was beneficial to people with PTSD symptoms. A total of 165 Hong Kong adults who endorsed at least one PTSD symptom were randomly assigned to the intervention group (two-month online trauma psychoeducation) (n = 83) or the active control group (n = 82). At baseline, most participants met the ICD-11 criteria for probable PTSD (7.9%) or complex PTSD (61.8%); 43.6% exhibited dissociative symptoms. The retention rate was high at posttest (70.0%) and follow-up (71.0%). Most participants in the intervention group were satisfied with the program. Both groups had significant improvements in symptom management, mental health self-stigma, post-traumatic maladaptive beliefs, PTSD symptoms, disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms, self-esteem, and perceived knowledge in trauma and PTSD. Mixed effects models indicated that the intervention group had significantly greater improvements in PTSD symptoms, self-esteem, and perceived knowledge in trauma and PTSD, but not in other variables. In terms of reliable change, from baseline to follow-up, the intervention group exhibited a lower rate of deterioration (1.8% vs 8.3%) and a higher rate of improvement (47.4% vs 35.0%) than the control group, but the difference was not significant (p = .154). The online trauma psychoeducation program was well-accepted by the participants and was associated with decreases in PTSD symptoms and improvements in self-esteem and perceived knowledge in PTSD. Health and social service providers can utilize this low-cost early intervention program to provide timely support for clients with PTSD symptoms, especially before specialized trauma treatments are available.