A pilot study of the trauma recovery group for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and co-occurring serious mental illness. (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sacks, Stephanie A.; Schwartz, Barbara; Mueser, Kim T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of mental health. Volume 26:Number 3(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 237
• Page End: 241
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: serious mental illness -- PTSD -- cognitive behavioral therapy -- veterans; Mental health -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Periodicals; 362.2
• DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2016.1222057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8237

Abstract

Abstract: Background : Many Veterans may not benefit from gold-standard evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because they suffer from co-occurring serious mental illness (SMI). Aims : This pilot study is the first to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Trauma Recovery Group in a sample of Veterans with PTSD and SMI. Methods : Fourteen Veterans with PTSD and SMI were enrolled in a 21-session group-based cognitive behavioral therapy program targeting PTSD. The PTSD Checklist was the primary outcome measure; secondary outcomes included the Participant Health Questionnaire, the Post Traumatic Cognitions Inventory, and the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale. Results : Seventy-one percent of participants completed the trial. The intervention was associated with a significant reduction of PTSD symptoms and a trend-level reduction of maladaptive post-traumatic cognitions. There was a significant positive correlation between change in PTSD symptoms and change in post-traumatic cognitions. Conclusions : The findings support the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Trauma Recovery Group for Veterans with co-occurring PTSD and SMI, and suggest that controlled research on the program is warranted.