Search

The goal of this effectiveness study was to investigate the role of pre-treatment interpersonal relationship functioning in two forms of group cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for veterans with PTSD. Analysis of data from 45 veterans who completed either trauma- or skills-focused CBT indicated no overall differences between the two treatments in PTSD symptomatology, alcohol abuse, or violence perpetration at four months post-treatment. However, there was a stronger inverse relationship between intimate relationship functioning and violence outcomes in the trauma-focused group versus the skills-focused group. While no differences in violence outcomes were found between the treatments at poorer levels of pre-treatment intimate relationship functioning, those receiving trauma-focused treatment with better pre-treatment intimate relationships reported less violence. Extended relationship functioning and violence outcomes were less strongly associated in the trauma-focused group versus the skills-focused group. The theoretical implications of these results, as well as the clinical opportunities to improve CBT for PTSD by capitalizing on patients' relationships, are discussed.

To expound on the nature of emotional deficits in PTSD, the current study investigated the relationships among emotion content and process variables and PTSD symptomatology in a sample of 85 veterans with military-related trauma. Alexithymic externally oriented thinking and negative affectivity emerged as the most consistent predictors of PTSD symptoms; however, depression was the only variable associated with emotional numbing. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed, as well as future research directions including the collateral and clinician assessment of emotional functioning, use of other process measures, and inclusion of various control groups.