Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Therapy for PTSD: A Nonrandomized Pilot Study With Military and Veteran Dyads
- Fredman, S. J., Macdonald, A., Monson, C. M., Dondanville, K. A., Blount, T. H., Hall-Clark, B. N.,…Peterson. A., L. (2020). Intensive, multi-couple group therapy for PTSD: A nonrandomized pilot study with military and veteran dyads. Behavior Therapy, 51(5), 700 – 714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.10.003
- Twenty-four couples, including one Service member or Veteran (SM/V) patient experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and one romantic partner, participated in a short, intensive, group version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) in a weekend retreat format focused on PTSD symptoms, psychological distress (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms), and relationship satisfaction. Both partners completed measures pretreatment and one and three months posttreatment. Clinicians interviewed patients about their PTSD at all three time points. Posttreatment, SM/V patients averaged reduced PTSD symptoms, both partners showed reductions in psychological distress, and partners’ relationship satisfaction had generally improved.
- 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 (d s = -0.77 and -0.98, respectively) and in patients' self-reported symptoms of PTSD (d s = -0.73 and -1.17, respectively), depression (d s = -0.60 and -0.75, respectively), anxiety (d s = -0.63 and -0.73, respectively), and anger (d s = -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. • Brief, intensive couple therapy for PTSD was piloted in a group format. • Active-duty and veteran couples with PTSD were treated over a weekend. • All couples completed treatment. • Patients' PTSD, depression, anxiety, and anger significantly improved. • Partners' mental health and relationship satisfaction significantly improved.
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