Trauma-informed care training with HIV and related community service workers: Short and long term effects on...

Although the experience of trauma is a widespread, global phenomenon, individuals living with HIV, who are two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ (2SLGBTQ+), who use injection drugs, and/or who have marginalized status, are disproportionately affected (Harris & Fallot, 2006; Hopper, Bassuk, & Olivet, 2009; Seedat, 2012). The need for trauma competent service provision, meaning integrating psychoeducation about trauma, and knowledge of its prevalence, impact, and outcomes, is clear. Numerous HIV service and affiliated agencies in Ontario requested a Trauma-Informed Care workshop for their staff and volunteers, and the current project reports on the outcomes of this workshop. There were 150 community, health, and social service providers in the HIV, hepatitis C, LGBTQ, harm reduction, and related sectors who participated in a full- or half-day Trauma-Informed Care workshop. Participants completed the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care scale (ARTIC-10) at preworkshop, postworkshop, and at 6-month follow-up, as well as a brief phone interview. There was a significant increase in ARTIC scores, indicating more favorable attitudes toward trauma-informed care, from preworkshop (M = 58.01, SE = 0.64) to postworkshop (M = 61.73, SE = 0.67), M = -3.72, BCa 95% confidence interval [-4.65, -2.82], t(149) = -7.79, p < .001, resulting in a medium-sized effect, d = 0.48. These gains were maintained at follow-up. Results were complemented by participant interviews. These results demonstrate that a brief workshop on Trauma-Informed Care can improve attitudes relatively quickly, that are generally maintained over time, creating a trauma-informed environment for clients. Future directions include assessing client outcomes as they may relate to changes in provider attitudes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).