A closer examination of relational outcomes from a pilot study of abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD with military dyads

Fredman, S. J., Le, Y., MacDonald, A., Monson, C. M., Rhoades, G. K., Dondanville, K. A., Blount, T. H., Hall-Clark, B. N., Fina, B. A., Mintz, J. Litz, B. T., Young-McCaughan, Jenkins, A. I. C., Yarvis, J. S., Keane, T. M., Peterson, A. L. (2021). A closer examination of relational outcomes from a pilot study of Abbreviated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD with military dyads. Family Process, 60(3), 712-726. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12654

This pilot study examined whether a brief, couple-focused intervention to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could improve indicators of relationship functioning. These indicators included ineffective arguing, supportive partner coping (i.e., feeling your partner tries to be helpful when you are stressed), cooperative coping (i.e., feeling you and your partner work well as a team when you are both stressed), and partner accommodating behavior (i.e., avoiding events or emotional expression to prevent negative reactions in a person with PTSD). Over a single weekend, 24 Service members/Veterans and their romantic partners participated in couple-focused group intervention which provided education on PTSD, communication skills, conflict management, and accommodation. Couples reported on relationship functioning before the intervention and at one- and three-month follow-ups. After the intervention, Service members and Veterans generally reported more relationship improvements than their partners.

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