In March 2019 we conducted our first Retrospective Survey to learn how the Weekend of Recovery and Day of Recovery retreats had benefited Alumni. The following information was gathered from retreat participants about their experiences before and after completion of one of our retreats.
Participants
1516 total alumni thru 12/3118
422 total unique/active alumni
75 of 422 alumni recipients enrollees in Survey as of 3/28/19 (18% of total data bank have enrolled)
Demographics
Age
- 0 aged 18-24
- 4 (8%) aged 25-34
- 5 (10%) aged 35-44
- 14 (28%) aged 45-54
- 18 (38%) aged 55-64
- 9 (18%) aged 65+
Race
- 48 Caucasian/Euro-American/White
- 1 Asian
- 1 Mexican-Latino
Survey Data
Most impactful program areas:
- Interaction with facilitators – 80% “extremely helpful”
- Small group activities – 67% “extremely helpful”
- Preparing/Telling my story – 66% “extremely helpful”
- Establishing safety guidelines – 63% “extremely helpful”
- Music – 58% “extremely helpful”
- Shame busting – 58% “extremely helpful”
- Mind-body Awareness – 45% “extremely helpful”
- As noted by the top three program areas identified above, the most impactful parts of WORs are the interaction and healing that occurs with others.
The following graphs are average ratings across all participants for each category according to the below rating scale:
Rating Scale
- 1 – 7 Likert Scale
- 1 = Not a problem
- 4 = A problem
- 7 = An Extreme problem
Prior to WOR, 24 participants rated depression as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey only 5 rated depression as a 6 or 7, and 24 rated depression as “no longer a problem”.
29 participants rated anxiety as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey zero rated depression as a 6 or 7, and 23 rated anxiety as “no longer a problem”.
19 participants rated mood swings as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey zero rated mood swings as a 6 or 7, and 24 rated mood swings as “no longer a problem”.
Prior to WOR, 32 participants rated shame as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 3 rated shame as a 6 (zero rated a 7), and 35 rated shame as “no longer a problem”.
Prior to WOR, 21 participants rated traumatic flashbacks as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 3 rated traumatic flashbacks as a 6 or 7, and 29 rated traumatic flashbacks as “no longer a problem”.
When asked about BEHAVIORS experienced prior to, immediately after, and several months after the WOR, participants endorsed significantly decreased levels of avoidance, hypervigilance, dissociation, isolation, sexual problems (including addiction and performance issues), and sleep problems (including nightmares).
Prior to WOR 25 participants rated avoidance as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 7 rated avoidance as a 6 or 7, and 21 rated avoidance as “no longer a problem”.
Prior to WOR 25 participants rated hypervigilance as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 6 rated hypervigilance as a 6 or 7, and 26 rated hypervigilance as “no longer a problem”.
Prior to WOR 19 participants rated dissociation as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 5 rated dissociation as a 6 or 7, and 30 rated dissociation as “no longer a problem”.
Prior to WOR 23 participants rated isolation as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 2 rated isolation as a 6 or 7, and 27 rated isolation as “no longer a problem”.
Prior to WOR 20 participants rated sexual problems as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 6 rated sexual problems as a 6 or 7, and 21 rated sexual problems as “no longer a problem”.
Prior to WOR 22 participants rated sexual problems as a 6 or 7 (extreme problem), whereas at the time of the survey 7 rated sexual problems as a 6 or 7, and 20 rated sexual problems as “no longer a problem”.
Survey Feedback Comments
Many of the participants had tried other programs for healing. When asked how WOR was different from other programs these were some of the responses:
The education was much more welcoming and safe. It wasn’t just a classroom setting where I was lectured and then given a workbook, but rather a hands-on environment where I was able to experience and feel safety rather than just read about it. I was strengthened as I watch others feel the same safety that I was experiencing as we learned.
They were explicitly for male survivors. I have been a part of many groups and organizations, but sexual abuse was always something I hesitated to share. My most vivid memory of the level one weekend I went to was sitting in a room of 50 or more men and knowing that they all understood something of what I had been through.
It was great to have counselors who cared so much. It was great to meet other people dealing with the same trauma as I have experienced.
The WOR was phenomenal! The staff was AMAZING. That weekend helped me realize that I truly am not alone. There are others that have suffered through a similar trauma and they are experiencing the same effects of that trauma. I wish there were words that could express my gratitude to each of you. I mean that very sincerely.