Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a U.S. Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic

Pukay-Martin, N. D., Fredman, S. J., Martin, C. E., Le, Y., Haney, A., Sullivan, C…Chard, K. M. (2022). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a U.S. Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(2), 644-658. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22781

Cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an intervention designed for couples to address the effects of PTSD symptoms on their relationship. For the current study, 113 Veterans and their partners participated in a 15-session CBCT for PTSD treatment. Veterans and their partners each reported on Veterans’ PTSD symptoms and their own relationship happiness at each weekly session. At pre- and posttreatment, couples self-reported on their individual relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms; partners also reported on their accommodation of Veterans’ PTSD symptoms (i.e., altering their behavior in response to Veterans’ PTSD symptoms). 51.3% of couples completed the treatment. Of those, 77.5% of Veterans and 61.4% of their partners reported improvement in Veterans’ PTSD symptoms.

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