https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Shepherd-B2024

Shepherd-Banigan, M., Shapiro, A., Stechuchak, K. M., Glynn, S., Calhoun, P., Ackland, …Van Houtven, C. H. (2024). Feasibility of a family-involved intervention to increase engagement in evidenced-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001623

FAMILIAR (family support in mental health recovery) is a psychoeducational intervention designed to promote Veterans’ initiation and engagement with evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by leveraging family support before and during the Veteran’s individual treatment. This mixed-methods, proof-of-concept pilot study examined the feasibility of FAMILIAR using the recruitment and retention data of 24 Veterans and 16 support partners. Data from Veterans’ individual treatment, as well as interviews from Veterans, support partners, and other stakeholders (e.g., mental health providers), were also used to better determine FAMILIAR’s feasibility. Emergent evidence supported FAMILIAR’s feasibility, and participants and stakeholders offered suggestions to improve its implementation.

https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001623

Mental health
Programming

Multiple branches

Veteran

Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran
Civilian

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Shepherd-Banigan, Megan, Shapiro, Abigail, Stechuchak, Karen M., Glynn, Shirley, Calhoun, Patrick, Ackland, Princess E., Bokhour, Barbara, Edelman, David, Falkovic, Margaret, Weidenbacher, Hollis J., Eldridge, Madeleine R., Lanford, Tiera, Swinkels, Cindy, Dedert, Eric, Wells, Stephanie, Ruffin, Rachel, Van Houtven, Courtney H.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of a family-involved intervention, family support in mental health recovery (FAMILIAR), for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) seeking psychotherapy at a single Veterans Administration Health System. Method: This mixed-methods study reports qualitative and quantitative findings from a single-group pilot of 24 veterans and their support partners (SPs) about experiences with the intervention and interviews with eight VA mental health clinicians and leaders and the study interventionist to explore intervention feasibility. Findings across data sources were merged within domains of Bowen and colleagues’ pilot study feasibility framework. Results: Out of 24 dyads, 16 veterans and 15 associated SPs completed the intervention. Participants viewed the intervention to be valuable and feasible. Veterans and SPs reported that they enrolled in the study to develop a shared understanding of PTSD and treatment. While participants identified few logistical barriers, finding a time for conjoint sessions could be a challenge. Veterans, SPs, and providers discussed benefits of the intervention, including that it facilitated conversation between the veteran and SP about PTSD and mental health care and helped to prepare the dyad for treatment. Providers noted potential challenges integrating family-involved interventions into clinical workflow in VA and suggested the need for additional training and standardized procedures for family-centered care. Conclusions: Our study identified potential implementation facilitators (e.g., standard operating procedures about session documentation, confidentiality, and family ethics) and challenges (e.g., clinical workflow integration) that require further study to bring FAMILIAR into routine clinical care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Article
REACH Publication

family-involved intervention, family support, mental health recovery

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-44916-001

Research Summary

  April 2024