Processes and outcomes of a communalization of trauma approach: Vets & Friends community‐based support groups

Abstract

Veterans often experience challenges related to processing traumatic experiences and community reintegration, yet there is a dearth of research on promising community‐driven approaches. This paper describes core processes and outcomes of Vets & Friends (V&F), a community‐based support program that promotes veteran reintegration by healing trauma and moral injury using a communalization of trauma (CoT) approach. We conducted focus groups with 23 V&F group members. A mix of inductive and deductive codes were generated during thematic analysis. Critical themes identified included processes such as sharing narratives, connecting emotionally with experiences, feeling heard and accepted by group members, and listening as others shared their experiences. Outcomes included restoration of trust, connection with group members, building skills to manage trauma, and community acceptance and engagement. V&F shows promise in meeting veteran‐specific needs by employing CoT approaches that offer opportunities to restore community trust and acceptance.

Community Support for Injured Patients: A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis

“…All five studies reporting on intimate partner violence support groups reported that participants gained a sense of group identity or solidarity from the group (31,40,41,43,44). Lastly, four of the five support groups for mixed injuries reported that they appreciated the assistance they received from peers in navigating health and legal systems (23,29,42,45).…”

“…From a social perspective, nineteen studies reported that support group members indicated they were able to obtain guidance and coping strategies as a result of group participation (21,(23)(24)(25)(26)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42), and fourteen studies reported that the groups created a sense of solidarity and group identity that members found lacking in other areas of their lives (24,26,30,(33)(34)(35)(37)(38)(39)(41)(42)(43)(44)25). Social interaction was mentioned as a positive outcome in eleven studies (22)(23)(24)26,32,33,36,38,40,42,44).…”

“…Fourteen of the studies reported that participants found emotional support and/or catharsis as a function of group membership (21,24,(26)(27)(28)(29)(31)(32)(33)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42), and fourteen studies reported that group members felt a sense of not feeling alone (22)(23)(24)28,29,31,(33)(34)(35)37,39,40,42,44) after they joined the group. Group participants in eleven studies reported a benefit to their self-esteem, empowerment, and overall quality of life (22,24,25,32,34,35,37,38,(40)(41)(42). Six studies noted that support groups gave participants a sense of hope for the future (26,32,35,37,39,42).…”

“…Group participants in eleven studies reported a benefit to their self-esteem, empowerment, and overall quality of life (22,24,25,32,34,35,37,38,(40)(41)(42). Six studies noted that support groups gave participants a sense of hope for the future (26,32,35,37,39,42). Finally, seven studies reported that participants felt a sense of altruism and being able to give back to other injury survivors as a result of group participation (25,26,28,30,35,37,39).…”

“…Finally, seven studies reported that participants felt a sense of altruism and being able to give back to other injury survivors as a result of group participation (25,26,28,30,35,37,39). On a practical level, eleven studies reported that group members found that they were able to gain assistance in navigating the health, legal, and/or social systems from their peers (23,(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)32,(40)(41)(42)45).…”