Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Social support is integral for trauma recovery, and studies have shown that when trauma survivors experience a lack of social acknowledgment for their experience as a victim, they are at greater risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to the role of social interactions in recovery in the wake of trauma, social support is also related to better treatment outcomes. This has led to research on peer support programs, in which "peers" (i.e., people with lived experience of PTSD, and recovery from it) provide encouragement to people who are currently undergoing therapy for PTSD. Studies to date have shown that people who participate in peer support experience greater improvement in treatment. Although promising, the peer support programs discussed in previous studies are not widely accessible to the public. Moreover, the many online support groups that are accessible to the public are at high risk of causing harm to traumatized individuals, because they are not protected against privacy concerns, predatory behaviour, and the spread of misinformation. Indeed, no studies to date have systematically evaluated these programs for potential iatrogenic effects, as well as positive treatment outcomes. To support the growing number of Canadians with PTSD, the current project will use a mixed-methods research approach to systematically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an online peer support program for treatment-seeking individuals with PTSD. The findings will inform the ongoing development of a peer support program, and future efforts to prioritize the wide accessibility of online peer support for trauma recovery, while also maintaining a high standard of quality and safety. The wide availability of these groups will ultimately reduce the burden of PTSD among Canadians.