1. Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Therapy for PTSD: A Nonrandomized Pilot Study With Military and Veteran Dyads
- Author
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John D. Roache, Jeffrey S Yarvis, Katherine A. Dondanville, Brett T. Litz, Terence M. Keane, Brooke A Fina, Candice M. Monson, Jim Mintz, Allison K Hancock, Alan L. Peterson, Cindy A. McGeary, Brittany N. Hall-Clark, Alexandra Macdonald, Patricia A. Resick, Yunying Le, Galena K. Rhoades, Jennifer Schuster Wachen, Tabatha H. Blount, Stacey Young-McCaughan, Barbara L. Niles, and Steffany J. Fredman
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_treatment ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Group format ,Pilot Projects ,Anger ,behavioral disciplines and activities ,Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ,Group psychotherapy ,Couples Therapy ,Intervention (counseling) ,mental disorders ,medicine ,Humans ,In patient ,Depression (differential diagnoses) ,Veterans ,media_common ,Service member ,Clinical Psychology ,Military Personnel ,Treatment Outcome ,Psychotherapy, Group ,Anxiety ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,Psychology ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (CBCT for PTSD; Monson & Fredman, 2012) is efficacious in improving PTSD symptoms and relationship adjustment among couples with PTSD. However, there is a need for more efficient delivery formats to maximize engagement and retention and to achieve faster outcomes in multiple domains. This nonrandomized trial was designed to pilot an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of CBCT for PTSD (AIM-CBCT for PTSD) delivered over a single weekend for 24 couples that included an active-duty service member or veteran with PTSD who had deployed in support of combat operations following September 11, 2001. All couples completed treatment. Assessments conducted by clinical evaluators 1 and 3 months after the intervention revealed significant reductions in clinician-rated PTSD symptoms (ds = -0.77 and -0.98, respectively) and in patients' self-reported symptoms of PTSD (ds = -0.73 and -1.17, respectively), depression (ds = -0.60 and -0.75, respectively), anxiety (ds = -0.63 and -0.73, respectively), and anger (ds = -0.45 and -0.60, respectively), relative to baseline. By 3-month follow-up, partners reported significant reductions in patients' PTSD symptoms (d = -0.56), as well as significant improvements in their own depressive symptoms (d = -0.47), anxiety (d = -0.60), and relationship satisfaction (d = 0.53), relative to baseline. Delivering CBCT for PTSD through an abbreviated, intensive multi-couple group format may be an efficient strategy for improving patient, partner, and relational well-being in military and veteran couples with PTSD.
- Published
- 2020