title: Nonpathologizing trauma interventions in abnormal psychology courses.
abstract: Because abnormal psychology courses presuppose a focus on pathological human functioning, nonpathologizing interventions within these classes are particularly powerful and can reach survivors, bystanders, and perpetrators. Interventions are needed to improve the social response to trauma on college campuses. By applying psychodynamic and feminist multicultural theory, instructors can deliver nonpathologizing interventions about trauma and trauma response within these classes. We recommend class-based interventions with the following aims: (a) intentionally using nonpathologizing language, (b) normalizing trauma responses, (c) subjectively defining trauma, (d) challenging secondary victimization, and (e) questioning the delineation of abnormal and normal. The recommendations promote implications for instructor self-reflection, therapy interventions, and future research.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychological Sciences , Western Oregon University , Monmouth , Oregon , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hoover
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , Rollins College , Winter Park, Florida , USA.
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Luchner
authors.affiliation: c Department of Social Sciences , Concordia University Wisconsin , Mequon , Wisconsin , USA.
authors.forename: Rachel F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Pickett
mesh_terms: D019513:Feminism; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education*; D014495:Universities
keywords: Abnormal psychology; feminist multiculturalism; instruction; psychodynamic; trauma interventions