Trauma Stories: The Effect of Eliciting a Semi Structured Narrative of Events on the Mood of Trauma Patients

Objective: To determine the influence of telling one's trauma story on a victim of violent trauma‘s mood. Background: Interpersonal violent trauma is an unfortunate reality in modern America. Numerous approaches aimed at reducing the rates of violence are underway, with many focusing on the role of psychological and emotional interventions on victims' health and recidivism. The connection between psychological and physical health is well established, with an individual's positive mood correlated to his or her better health outcomes. This study submits new data to this scholarship by addressing the question of whether trauma victims' mood can be improved through the act of telling stories about one's trauma. Method: This study involved pre- and post- semi-structured interview administration of POMS mood scales. Level of Evidence: Pilot level IV therapeutic. Results: Of the 22 participants, none had a worsening of mood, and almost a third (31%) showed a statistically significant overall increase in mood after telling their trauma story. Decreasing levels of felt tension and anxiety and increased levels of vigor and activity were the most significant areas of change. Conclusion: Talking about trauma, within the limitations of this study, appears to be safe and even beneficial. The benefits appear to be much greater in patients with a more disturbed mood, suggesting a possible target group for the intervention for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.