Sarah B Campbell1, John Fortney1, Tracy L Simpson2, Matthew Jakupcak3, Amy Wagner4. 1. Health Services Research and Development, Center of Innovation, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington. 3. Veteran Affairs National Telemental Health Hub. 4. Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Lack of social support predicts the development, maintenance, and exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, social dysfunction is associated with recurrent episodes of PTSD care, and detachment/estrangement from others is a strong predictor of suicidal ideation among those with PTSD. Thus, treatments to improve social functioning among those with PTSD are needed. METHOD: Eighty veterans of recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing treatment as usual to behavioral activation (BA) for PTSD, a treatment that focuses on reducing avoidance behaviors and increasing engagement in valued goals rather than explicitly confronting trauma memories. RESULTS: Mixed-model regression analyses revealed that, accounting for gender, baseline PTSD, and marital status, participants who received BA experienced greater improvements in the number of social supports from baseline to posttreatment compared with those in treatment as usual (F1,96 = 6.29, p = .014). Gains were not maintained at 3-month follow-up, and significant results were not found for satisfaction with social supports. CONCLUSIONS: BA may facilitate an increase in the perceived number of social supports available to veterans with PTSD, but treatment adaptation may be necessary to maintain these gains and to increase satisfaction with social support. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
OBJECTIVE: Lack of social support predicts the development, maintenance, and exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, social dysfunction is associated with recurrent episodes of PTSD care, and detachment/estrangement from others is a strong predictor of suicidal ideation among those with PTSD. Thus, treatments to improve social functioning among those with PTSD are needed. METHOD: Eighty veterans of recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing treatment as usual to behavioral activation (BA) for PTSD, a treatment that focuses on reducing avoidance behaviors and increasing engagement in valued goals rather than explicitly confronting trauma memories. RESULTS: Mixed-model regression analyses revealed that, accounting for gender, baseline PTSD, and marital status, participants who received BA experienced greater improvements in the number of social supports from baseline to posttreatment compared with those in treatment as usual (F1,96 = 6.29, p = .014). Gains were not maintained at 3-month follow-up, and significant results were not found for satisfaction with social supports. CONCLUSIONS: BA may facilitate an increase in the perceived number of social supports available to veterans with PTSD, but treatment adaptation may be necessary to maintain these gains and to increase satisfaction with social support. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Authors: Derek R Hopko; Maria E A Armento; Sarah M C Robertson; Marlena M Ryba; John P Carvalho; Lindsey K Colman; Christen Mullane; Michael Gawrysiak; John L Bell; James K McNulty; Carl W Lejuez Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2011-10-10
Authors: Matthew Jakupcak; Lisa J Roberts; Christopher Martell; Patrick Mulick; Scott Michael; Richard Reed; Kimberly F Balsam; Dan Yoshimoto; Miles McFall Journal: J Trauma Stress Date: 2006-06