Exploring Trauma Disclosure in a Community Treatment Seeking Sample

Authors: Anna Linenberg, Jessica E Hill

Field of Study: Integrative Neuroscience

Program Affiliation: CAST Lab

Faculty Mentors: Christina Balderrama-Durbin

Easel: 113

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Trauma disclosure (TD) is a complex process with significant implications for survivors (Kimbley, 2023), yet little is known about TD (e.g., rates, receiving party) prior to seeking psychotherapy. The present study collected intake data from 46 adults seeking outpatient treatment at a community psychological clinic. Frequencies and associations of TD, exposure to interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma, current distress, and psychological symptoms were examined. In the present study, 27 individuals (58.7%) reported experiencing at least one traumatic event, and of those, 26 reported TD to informal sources (96.3%; e.g., family, friends) and 16 to formal sources (59.3%; e.g., healthcare professionals). Results indicate interpersonal trauma was positively correlated with somatization (p=.016) and anxiety (p=.044), consistent with previous literature (Chiu, 2024). Results highlight the high prevalence of TD prior to seeking formal psychotherapy. Limitations, future directions, and other relevant sample characteristics will be discussed.