Minneapolis VA study looks at how faith may help after trauma

Faith may help in trauma recovery

By MARK BRUNSWICK, Star Tribune
Last update: March 11, 2011 - 5:21 PM
A study conducted at the Minneapolis VA shows signs that victims of trauma and PTSD can be helped by programs that emphasize spirituality as part of recovery.

The study looked at a group intervention program called Building Spiritual Strength (BSS), an interfaith eight-session method that encourages participants to use their faith to manage the impact of trauma. The program includes steps such as keeping a "prayer log," group discussions of conflict resolution and how to build a personal relationship with a higher power. Perhaps not surprisingly, the study showed that using a spiritual resource was more effective for those who profess a religious association or at least a spiritual orientation. But the influence can't be dismissed among those who don't identify themselves as either religious or spiritual.
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Faith may help in trauma recovery