Effectiveness of the Maeum Program in a Stabilization-Focused Psychological Intervention for Trauma Survivors

Although stabilization-centered interventions alleviating posttraumatic symptoms are well known, scant scientific evidence exists examining interventions on individuals who have experienced various traumatic events in South Korea. This study examined the effectiveness of a Maeum Program, developed by the National Center for Disaster and Trauma, based on the principles of stabilization and psychoeducation for trauma survivors.

The Maeum Program for trauma survivors consists of psychoeducation and stabilization and imagery techniques conducted in a modular manner. From April 2018 to August 2023, 45 trauma survivors participated in the program. Trained mental health professionals conducted the program over 4-10 sessions. The Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Insomnia Severity Index, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory were used at pre- and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were performed to test the effectiveness of the Maeum Program. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to identify differences in psychiatric symptoms before and after the Maeum Program, after controlling for demographic factors.

After the Maeum Program, psychiatric symptoms showed significant reductions in the post-intervention test, while post-traumatic growth increased. Compared with personal trauma, participants who experienced natural and man-made disasters showed a sharp decrease in somatic symptoms after the program.

This study examined the effectiveness of a stabilization-centered intervention program for individuals who had experienced both disasters and personal trauma, for the first time in South Korea. We suggest that this evidence-based program should be delivered across the country and contribute to reducing mental suffering from trauma.