Developing an Emotion- and Memory-Processing Group Intervention for PTSD with complex features: a group case series with survivors of repeated interpersonal trauma. Issue 1 (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clifford, Georgina; Meiser-Stedman, Richard; Johnson, Rebecca D.; Hitchcock, Caitlin; Dalgleish, Tim
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 9:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Posttraumatic stress disorder -- PTSD -- complex PTSD -- CPTSD -- emotion regulation -- trauma-focused therapy -- group therapy -- group case series; Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático -- TEPT -- TEPT Complejo -- TEPTC -- Regulación emocional -- Terapia Focalizada en el Trauma -- Terapia Grupal -- Series de casos grupales; 创伤后应激障碍 -- PTSD -- 复杂PTSD -- CPTSD -- 情绪调节 -- 聚焦创伤疗法 -- 团体治疗 -- 团体案例系列; Reports a small (N = 15) case series of an Emotion- and Memory-Processing Group Intervention. Primary aim was to establish acceptability and feasibility; secondary aim was to explore treatment efficacy. Treatment achieved a 76% completion rate with one drop-out. Large effect sizes demonstrated for PTSD severity (d = 1.18) and severity of complex features (d = 0.96).; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1495980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Individuals who experience repeated interpersonal trauma exposure often present with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with more complex features. There is currently no consensus regarding whether current evidence-based interventions for PTSD need to be tailored to better account for these complex features. However, one recommended adaptation is to adopt a phase-based or sequenced approach involving three phases, each with a distinct function. This paper describes the development of a 12-session Emotion- and Memory-Processing Group Programme, adapted from Cloitre's Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) phase-based treatment protocol. A single case series provided a preliminary examination of the group-based intervention's efficacy for three groups of women with a history of repeated interpersonal trauma and PTSD with complex features ( N = 15; age 19–46 years) at The Haven Sexual Assault Referral Centre in London. Results revealed significant reductions in: PTSD, complex features of PTSD, and depression, along with improvements in process measures of maladaptive cognitions and emotion processing. Results from this case series demonstrate that an Emotion- and Memory-Processing Group Programme holds promise for treating individuals with a history of interpersonal trauma in outpatient settings, and provides evidence to warrant the completion of a feasibility trial.