The impact of regular participation in jiu-jitsu on posttraumatic stress symptoms, posttraumatic growth, and resilience in disabled combat Veterans

Abstract:Over 70% of people experience trauma worldwide. In other words, the majority of the world experiences trauma and many struggle with it. Consequently, trauma treatment is in high demand. The world needs more evidence-based approaches to trauma treatment. This study examined the effects of regular participation in Brazilian jiu-jitsu on symptoms of mental illness, posttraumatic stress symptoms, posttraumatic growth, and resilience in disabled combat veterans. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Brazilian jiu-jitsu could be an effective intervention for individuals who struggle with mental illness and trauma. A sample of 16 participants was recruited from athletes associated with We Defy Foundation (WDF) over the course of four months, while data collection occurred over the course of seven months. Initially, participants completed an informed consent and demographic questionnaire, a mental illness symptom measure (i.e., the DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure [CCSM]—Adult), trauma measurements (the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 [PCL-5] with Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 [LEC-5]), a posttraumatic growth measurement (i.e., the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory [PTGI]), a resilience measurement (i.e., the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [CD-RISC 25]), and embedded validity items prior to starting training in jiu-jitsu or within two weeks of their scholarship being approved by WDF. Three months later, participants completed the CCSM, PCL-5, PTGI, CD-RISC 25, training questionnaire, embedded validity items, and optional contact information for a raffle after three months of training jiu-jitsu (i.e., a minimum of 24 sessions) or three months after completing the pre-program materials. As hypothesized, results indicated a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.003), with a large effect size (d = 0.867), in posttraumatic stress symptoms, as measured by scores on the PCL-5; a statistically significant increase (p = 0.020), with a medium effect size (d = 0.652), in posttraumatic growth, as measured by scores on the PTGI-X; and a statistically significant increase (p = 0.008), with a large effect size (d = 0.757), in resilience, as measured by scores on the CD-RISC 25 from pre- to post-Brazilian jiujitsu treatment. This study adds to the plethora of data supporting martial arts as an intervention for symptoms of mental illness. Notably, it begins data supporting Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a trauma intervention for individuals with disabilities as well as for increasing posttraumatic growth specifically.