Report: Confidant training can benefit victims of trauma

By Staff Writer

Individuals who experience trauma are at risk of developing a variety of emotional problems, including severe depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Aside from treatment programs such as wilderness therapy and boarding schools, personal relationships can have a significant impact on one's recovery from traumatic events.

A new study in the journal Psychology of Violence reveals that brief training can help people learn how to be more supportive when friends or family members suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or other forms of mistreatment. The report was conducted by researchers from the University of Oregon.

Although it is a positive sign when an individual wishes to disclose their traumatic experience to another person, the manner in which that confidant reacts can profoundly influence how one heals from their emotional ordeal. A short training lesson that emphasizes listening techniques as well as verbal and nonverbal body language can prove beneficial for supportive friends and family.

Confidants should be nonjudgmental and make an effort to validate the victim's feelings, the study says. In addition, people should encourage the distressed individual to continue talking about their experiences.

Adolescents who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder may benefit from boarding schools, many of which provide help for troubled teens.