An AI-driven approach for examining objective markers of social support to identify individuals at risk of PTSD after trauma

Principal Investigators: Dr. Rohini Pahwa, Associate Professor, NYU Silver School of Social Work; Dr. Kathrine Sullivan, Associate Professor, NYU Silver School of Social Work; Dr. Katharina Schultebraucks, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Dates of award: 9/1/2024 – 8/31/2025

Amount of award: $60,000

Approximately 40 million visits to emergency departments each year involve exposure to trauma and lead to many patients developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social support has been shown to have both positive and negative effects on PTSD risk, but no robust unified approach exists to measure the effects of social support on PTSD symptomatology. This newly funded pilot study aims to develop an innovative approach to assessing trauma survivors and social support in emergency department settings using digital tools and AI models such as deep learning and Large Language Model (LLM). Understanding these dynamics and developing a comprehensive approach to measure the effects of social support on PTSD symptomatology is crucial in providing a more holistic view of the trauma recovery process. Findings from this pilot study will be used to identify components for targeted interventions to improve recovery outcomes and overall mental health for trauma survivors.

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