https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-PukayMartin2022

Pukay-Martin, N. D., Fredman, S. J., Martin, C. E., Le, Y., Haney, A., Sullivan, C…Chard, K. M. (2022). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a U.S. Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(2), 644-658. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22781

Cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an intervention designed for couples to address the effects of PTSD symptoms on their relationship. For the current study, 113 Veterans and their partners participated in a 15-session CBCT for PTSD treatment. Veterans and their partners each reported on Veterans’ PTSD symptoms and their own relationship happiness at each weekly session. At pre- and posttreatment, couples self-reported on their individual relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms; partners also reported on their accommodation of Veterans’ PTSD symptoms (i.e., altering their behavior in response to Veterans’ PTSD symptoms). 51.3% of couples completed the treatment. Of those, 77.5% of Veterans and 61.4% of their partners reported improvement in Veterans’ PTSD symptoms.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22781

Veterans
Couples
Trauma
Mental health
Programming

Multiple branches

Veteran

Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Quantitative study

Pukay-Martin, Nicole D., Fredman, Steffany J., Martin, Colleen E., Le, Yunying, Haney, Alison, Sullivan, Connor, Monson, Candice M., Chard, Kathleen M.

Cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a 15-session conjoint treatment for PTSD designed to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance intimate relationship functioning. Numerous studies of CBCT for PTSD document improvements in patient PTSD and comorbid symptoms, partner mental health, and relationship adjustment. However, little is known about its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings. Using an intention-to-treat sample of couples who participated in CBCT for PTSD in an outpatient U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD clinic (N = 113), trajectories of session-by-session reports of veterans’ PTSD symptoms and both partners’ relationship happiness were examined. Across sessions, there were significant reductions in veteran-rated PTSD symptoms, d = −0.69, and significant increases in veteran- and partner-rated relationship happiness, ds = 0.36 and 0.35, respectively. Partner ratings of veterans’ PTSD symptoms increased before significantly decreasing, d = −0.24. Secondary outcomes of veteran and partner relationship satisfaction, ds = 0.30 and 0.42, respectively; veteran and partner depressive symptoms, ds = −0.75 and −0.29, respectively; and partner accommodation of PTSD symptoms, d = −0.44, also significantly improved from pre- to posttreatment. The findings suggest that CBCT for PTSD was effective for decreasing PTSD and comorbid symptoms in veterans, as well as for improving relationship functioning and partners’ mental health, among a sample of real-world couples seeking treatment in a VA PTSD specialty clinic.

John Wiley & Sons

Article
REACH Publication

Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, NDPM
The Pennsylvania State University, SJF
Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, CEM
The Pennsylvania State University, YL
University of Missouri, AH
Duke University, CS
Ryerson University, CMM
Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, KMC