Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Peer Support Program for Trauma Survivors

To determine the feasibility of implementing the Peer Support Program (PSP) for trauma survivors. We will measure the criteria below to establish feasibility. These feasibility goals were established with reference to another study our group conducted aimed at assessing the feasibility of a novel psychosocial group intervention for amputees.

• RECRUITMENT (proportion of eligible participants approached who consent-GOAL: ≥50%),
• WITHDRAWAL (proportion of study participants who withdraw from the study before the end of Phase II (Inpatient Rehabilitation)-GOAL: ≤ 25%)
• ADHERENCE (proportion of PSP sessions attended by participants-GOAL: ≥60%),
• RETENTION (proportion of participants who complete the program-GOAL: ≥60%);
• BASELINE SURVEYS (proportion of surveys completed-GOAL: ≥70%).
• POST-INTERVENTION SURVEY (proportion of surveys completed-GOAL: ≥60%):
• SURVEY AT 3 MONTH FOLLOW UP (proportion of surveys completed-GOAL: ≥50%):

The 11-item Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNL) Index covers areas such as involvement in recreational and social activities, perceived ability to move within the community, and the degree of comfort people have with their relationships. It is a valid and reliable tool for assessing participation in various populations. Scores range from 0 to 110, with a higher score indicating a higher level of community reintegration.

The 20-item CSE Scale66 is a coping self-efficacy scale that has a robust factor structure across different types of post-traumatic events, making it especially suitable for use in various trauma populations. For each item, respondents rate their perceived efficacy on dealing with different consequences of trauma on a 7-point scale (e.g. 'resuming normal life'; 'being optimistic since the event'). Scores range from 20 (low self-efficacy) to 140 (high self-efficacy). The internal consistency of the scale has been found to be excellent across three panel waves of data in persons who had experienced a traumatic event in the previous two years

The Short-Form 36 (SF-36) is the most widely used generic health-related QoL instrument, including Neuro-musculoskeletal injuries, which measures 8 multi-item dimensions of health: physical functioning, social functioning, role limitations due to physical and emotional problems, mental health, energy/vitality, pain, and general health perception. Scores range from 0 to 100 on each domain, with lower scores indicating poorer function. These eight dimensions are summarized into a physical and mental health summary score. The SF-36 is sensitive to changes in functioning over time, and has demonstrated clinically meaningful, albeit modest, change in trauma patients.

The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) is a standardized 17-item self-report rating scale for PTSD that is well-validated across different populations. Respondents indicate how much they have been bothered by a symptom over the past month using a 5-point scale, with higher scores indicating more severe levels of PTSD.

The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is a 21-item scale assessing positive outcomes reported by those who have experienced traumatic events. Items are scored on a 6-point scale and scores range from 0 to 105, with higher scores indicating greater levels of growth. It has good levels of internal consistency reliability (α=.90) and 2-month test-retest stability (r =.71).

The Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SS) is a 19-item measure of perceived social support across four subscales: emotional/information support; tangible support; affectionate support; and positive social interaction. Questions are answered on a 5-point scale ranging from "none of the time" to "all of the time", with higher scores indicating more support. The MOS-SS has very good internal consistency across populations including chronic disease and chronic pain.

The UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale measures three dimensions of loneliness: relational connectedness, social connectedness and self-perceived isolation. Items are scored from 1 (hardly ever) to 3 (often), with higher scores indicating greater loneliness and isolation. It has satisfactory reliability and both concurrent and discriminant validity.