title: The Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model: A Quasi-Experimental Effectiveness Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A quasi-experimental study tested the effectiveness of the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), a group intervention for women trauma survivors, in comparison to services as usual.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred fifty-one women with histories of physical and/or sexual abuse and co-occurring serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders completed comprehensive study assessments at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. TREM groups were added to standard services at two community mental health agencies in Washington, DC (n = 153). Comparison group participants received usual services at two agencies in Baltimore, MD (n = 98).
  
  
  RESULTS
  TREM participants showed greater reductions in alcohol and drug abuse severity, anxiety symptoms, and current stressful events, and they showed greater increases in perceived personal safety. There were no group differences in change for posttraumatic stress disorder and global mental health symptoms, physical and mental health-related quality of life, and exposure to interpersonal abuse. Changes in trauma recovery skills were associated positively with gains in study outcomes for TREM group participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite design limitations, this study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of the TREM intervention for a heterogeneous population of women trauma survivors with co-occurring disorders when added to usual services.
authors.affiliation: a Community Connections , Washington , DC , USA.
authors.forename: Roger D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fallot
authors.affiliation: b Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, Dartmouth Medical School , Lebanon , New Hampshire , USA.
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: McHugo
authors.affiliation: a Community Connections , Washington , DC , USA.
authors.forename: Maxine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: b Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, Dartmouth Medical School , Lebanon , New Hampshire , USA.
authors.forename: Haiyi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xie
keywords: childhood abuse; co-occurring disorders; gender-specific group interventions; integrated treatment; trauma