Using acceptance and commitment therapy techniques to enhance treatment engagement in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-277
Author(s):  
M. Ashton Phillips ◽  
Tannah Chase ◽  
Chandra Bautista ◽  
Annie Tang ◽  
Ellen J. Teng
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Treatment Engagement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Transdiagnostic Treatment ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments

Evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are available for veterans, but many do not benefit due to low treatment engagement. This may be partially due to avoidance behaviors characteristic of individuals with PTSD. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic treatment approach that aims to reduce avoidance. The authors propose the use of adjunctive ACT techniques to enhance engagement with treatment for PTSD. ACT techniques such as cognitive defusion and values clarification have been shown to promote engagement with other cognitive-behavioral treatments, but no studies to date have examined these techniques as adjuncts to treatment for PTSD. Because of its focus on reducing avoidance, ACT is uniquely suited for promoting treatment engagement with the “gold standard” treatments for PTSD. The authors review the existing research on ACT as an adjunctive intervention, discuss specific concepts and techniques from ACT that are relevant to PTSD, and provide recommendations for future research.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Scarlet ◽  
Ariel J. Lang ◽  
Robyn D. Walser
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
First Line ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Breathing Training ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Meditative Practices

This chapter examines evidence for the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is high demand for CAM among both military and civilian consumers and thus CAM for PTSD warrants thorough analysis. The CAM interventions reviewed herein include mindfulness and other meditative practices, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation, breathing training, and physical exercise. Although there are few rigorous studies of CAM for PTSD, available evidence suggests that these approaches are moderately effective. They would generally not be considered a first line intervention for PTSD at this point, but rather would be recommended as an adjunct to established approaches. The limited number of studies available, however, precludes drawing firm conclusions. Thus, future work should focus on better understanding the optimal uses of CAM for PTSD.

Factors Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomology Among Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault in Canada

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051986008
Author(s):  
Janice Du Mont ◽  
Holly Johnson ◽  
Cassandra Hill
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Dating Violence ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
General Social Survey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Sexually Assaulted

There is a dearth of information about the association of victim-related and assailant-related characteristics and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among sexually assaulted women. Recently, Statistics Canada included items measuring the possible presence of PTSD symptoms in their 2014 nationally representative General Social Survey on Victimization (GSS-V), for the purpose of improving the understanding of mental health impacts associated with sexual victimization. The present study used the GSS-V to examine the association of sociodemographic, health, and assailant characteristics and prior traumatic experiences in the form of physical or sexual dating violence, physical assault, stalking, childhood abuse, and witnessing of violence between parents with PTSD symptomology among sexually assaulted women. Among 319 women who reported experiencing at least one incident of sexual assault in the 12 months prior to the survey, 68.6% had experienced at least one negative emotional impact as a result, among whom, 43.6% reported past-month PTSD symptoms. Logistic regression modeling revealed that prior traumatic events in the form of physical or sexual dating violence, stalking, and having witnessed violence between parents were associated with higher odds of experiencing PTSD symptoms, as was having been sexually assaulted by a known assailant. In contrast, the odds of experiencing PTSD symptoms was lower for Aboriginal or visible minority women. The results suggest that PTSD symptoms in the near aftermath of sexual victimization are common, and there are a range of factors that contribute to the likelihood of developing these symptoms. Implications for future research are discussed.

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