Trauma-­Informed Care in Social Support: From Concept to Practice

Abstract

Over the past decades, trauma-­informed care (TIC) has become increasingly widespread in healthcare, social work, education, and other fields focused on supporting individuals with traumatic experiences. This article aims to review international experience in the development and implementation of TIC, systematize its conceptual foundations and core principles, analyze existing evidence regarding its effectiveness, and examine prospects for its development in Russia and other Russian-­speaking countries. The study is based on a narrative review and analytical examination of international and Russian academic literature addressing theoretical models, implementation practices, and outcomes associated with trauma-­informed care. The review demonstrates that, despite the absence of a universally accepted definition, there is broad consensus in the literature regarding the fundamental principles of TIC. These include safety, trust and transparency, collaboration, empowerment, support for client choice, and the prevention of re-traumatization. The article examines key directions in the development of TIC, the specific features of its institutionalization across different countries, and contemporary approaches to organizational implementation. The analysis of empirical studies indicates that TIC contributes positively to service quality, professional practice, and selected indicators of client well-being. At the same time, it reveals limitations in the existing evidence base, including methodological heterogeneity across studies and a lack of data on long-term outcomes. The review further shows that the development of TIC in Russia and other Russian-­speaking countries remains at an early stage and faces a range of institutional and methodological barriers. The article concludes that the further development of trauma-­informed care depends on strengthening its theoretical and methodological foundations, expanding professional training, and accumulating empirical evidence on its effectiveness across different areas of social support.