Trauma signature analysis

Each disaster leaves an imprint on the affected population, a singular “signature.” A critical unmet need in the field of disaster mental/behavioral health is the capability to tailor mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to the unique constellation of psychological risk factors operating within each disaster event. We have developed and introduced Trauma Signature (TSIG) analysis to the fields of disaster mental/behavioral health and disaster public health in response to this identified need. We define TSIG analysis in the following manner: Trauma signature (TSIG) analysis is an evidence-based method that examines the interrelationship between population exposure to a disaster, extreme event, or complex emergency and the interrelated physical and psychological consequences for the purpose of providing timely, actionable guidance for effective mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)—or disaster behavioral health (DBH) support—that is organically tailored and targeted to the defining features of the event. According to Shultz et al. 2013 (in press), “TSIG examines the extent to which disaster survivors were exposed to empirically-documented risk factors for psychological distress and mental health disorders. Grounded on the Disaster Ecology Model, TSIG is premised on the assumption that each disaster exposes the affected population to a novel pattern of traumatizing hazards, loss and change. This singular “signature” of exposure risks is a predictor (or series of predictors) of the psychosocial and Trauma signature analysis State of the art and evolving future directions