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ViewAttendees 3

Symposia

Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders and Disasters

Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps: Addressing Issues with Understanding, Treating, and Accessing Care for PTSD

4 - (SYM 12) Trauma Exposure, PTSD Symptoms, and Treatment Barriers Among Women on Probation and Parole with Histories of Opioid Use

Friday, November 15, 2024
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM EST
Location: Regency Ballroom B, Second Floor Mezzanine, Loews Hotel
Abstract Body
Women involved in the criminal legal system with opioid use histories are at disproportionate risk for return to use following periods of incarceration. Both trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can hinder women’s recovery from opioid use. This mixed methods study aimed to (1) evaluate trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms and (2) explore barriers to trauma-focused treatment among Kentucky women on probation and parole (P&P) with histories of opioid use (N=122; white [99.2%]; heterosexual [77.0%]). Women on P&P first completed an online survey, which included the measures of trauma exposure (Trauma History Questionnaire) and self-reported PTSD symptoms (PCL Checklist for DSM-5: 8-item version). Questions were also included to assess women’s experiences with and perceptions of evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapies. The most commonly experienced traumatic events included death or serious injury of a loved one (29%), unwanted sexual contact (27%), accident or disaster (13%), and physical abuse (13%). Women’s cumulative number of lifetime traumatic experiences was nearly five times the national average (M=13.5 vs. M=2.9), and past-month probable PTSD diagnoses were six times the national prevalence rate (73% vs 11%). Despite the high rates of trauma exposure and PTSD, only 8% of women had ever been offered trauma-focused psychotherapy, and 6% of women participated in such treatment. Of those who completed the online survey, fifteen women also participated in a qualitative interview. Rapid qualitative analysis was used to explore themes. Four themes emerged: (1) Women perceived that their experiences of trauma, mental health, and substance use are interconnected; (2) Trauma-related symptoms are not often addressed in women’s substance use treatment or while on P&P; (3) Barriers to treatment are material (e.g., lack of insurance, transportation, childcare); and (4) Women’s hesitations to participating in trauma-focused psychotherapy include confidentiality, readiness, and timing. Our findings suggest that women on P&P with opioid use histories are a population that should be prioritized when implementing and disseminating evidence-based, trauma-focused psychotherapies. Additionally, adaptations to the content or format of trauma-focused psychotherapies may be required to meet the unique needs of women on P&P with histories of opioid use.