Work in Progress Seminar (Sep 25, 2019): Exploring Paths to Healing with Dr. Chris Richardson

Trauma at the Root: Exploring Paths to Healing with Formerly Incarcerated Men

Chris Richardson, PhD, MSc
Program Head — Psychosocial Epidemiology, CHÉOS
Research Associate, School of Population and Public Health, UBC

Evidence indicates a high prevalence of trauma experience among incarcerated populations, including substantial childhood adversity (e.g., family violence, loss of one or both parents,
moving through the childhood welfare system), with at least 50% reporting a history of childhood sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse. Experiencing childhood trauma has been shown to alter brain development and impact the ability to establish supportive relationships and regulate emotions. The experience of incarceration itself is also emerging as a recognized form of trauma, with well documented impacts on physical and mental health. Supported by the Vancouver Foundation and the Health Canada-Substance Use and Addictions Program, a five-year project will engage formerly incarcerated men to identify opportunities to raise awareness about the links between trauma, resiliency, and health-related behaviour. Using a series of focus groups, interviews, and a photo-voice project, we seek to understand how to foster resiliency among men with
a history of incarceration and work with key stakeholders to co- develop and pilot test a trauma and resiliency oriented health literacy resource for use in community and institutional settings.