Predictors of treatment response for cognitive behaviour therapy for prolonged grief disorder. (29th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bryant, Richard A.; Kenny, Lucy; Joscelyne, Amy; Rawson, Natasha; Maccallum, Fiona; Cahill, Catherine; Hopwood, Sally
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 8(2017)Supplement 6
• Publication Date: 2017-12-29
• Subjects: Prolonged grief -- cognitive behaviour therapy -- predictor -- treatment response; duelo prolongado -- terapia cognitivo conductual -- predictor -- respuesta al tratamiento; 延长哀伤 -- 认知行为疗法 -- 预测 -- 治疗反应; Many patients with prolonged grief disorder do not respond to cognitive behaviour therapy. In this trial poor treatment response was predicted by self-blame and avoidance tendencies. Strategies that address these factors may enhance treatment for prolonged grief disorder.; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1556551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) causes significant impairment in approximately 7% of bereaved people. Although cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has been shown to effectively treat PGD, there is a need to identify predictors of treatment non-response. Methods : PGD patients ( N = 80) were randomly allocated to receive 10 weekly two-hour group CBT sessions and (a) four individual sessions of exposure therapy or (b) CBT without exposure. PGD was assessed by self-report measures at baseline, post-treatment ( N = 61), and six-months ( N = 56) after treatment. Results : Post-treatment assessments indicated that greater reduction in grief severity relative to pretreatment levels was associated with being in the CBT/Exposure condition, and lower baseline levels of self-blame and avoidance. At follow-up, greater grief symptom reduction was associated with being in the CBT/Exposure condition and lower levels of avoidance. Conclusions : These patterns suggest that strategies that target excessive self-blame and avoidance during treatment may enhance response to grief-focused cognitive behaviour therapy.