Couple Treatment for PTSD: Partner Outcomes and Partner and Patient Influences on Treatment Outcomes

A growing body of literature has documented interpersonal factors associated with the occurrence and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among these factors, intimate partners’ psychological functioning has consistently been found to be associated with patients’ PTSD severity. The present study investigated intimate partners’ psychological functioning outcomes in a sample of 40 partners of individuals with PTSD within a randomized waitlist controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy for PTSD. In addition, models of influence from partners to patients and vice versa were examined. More specifically, these models investigated the influence of pretreatment functioning and symptom change on treatment outcomes. There were no significant differences between active treatment and waitlist in intimate partners’ psychological functioning at posttreatment. Furthermore, neither partners’ psychological functioning, nor patients’ PTSD symptoms, influenced the others’ treatment outcomes. Findings are discussed with a focus on guiding future research on partners’ psychological functioning in the context of PTSD.

Couple Treatment for PTSD: Partner Outcomes and Partner and Patient Influences on Treatment Outcomes

A growing body of literature has documented interpersonal factors associated with the occurrence and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among these factors, intimate partners’ psychological functioning has consistently been found to be associated with patients’ PTSD severity. The present study investigated intimate partners’ psychological functioning outcomes in a sample of 40 partners of individuals with PTSD within a randomized waitlist controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural conjoint therapy for PTSD. In addition, models of influence from partners to patients and vice versa were examined. More specifically, these models investigated the influence of pretreatment functioning and symptom change on treatment outcomes. There were no significant differences between active treatment and waitlist in intimate partners’ psychological functioning at posttreatment. Furthermore, neither partners’ psychological functioning, nor patients’ PTSD symptoms, influenced the others’ treatment outcomes. Findings are discussed with a focus on guiding future research on partners’ psychological functioning in the context of PTSD.

An examination of individual provider characteristics in the dissemination and uptake of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

Support for the use of evidence-based psychological practice in Canada is growing, but there remains a large gap between psychotherapy research and real-world psychotherapy practice. There also exists a chasm between the number of clinicians who attend psychotherapy trainings and those who implement the training material into their clinical practice. The present study examined individual provider characteristics in the uptake of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. There was a trend for an interaction between attitudes toward manualized treatments and attitudes toward the use of couple therapy to treat individuals with PTDS. Specifically, as attitudes in each area were more positive, piecemeal uptake of the protocol decreased. Contrary to hypothesis, prior training in couple therapy or in cognitive-behavioural therapy for PTDS, years since the highest degree was completed, and therapeutic orientation were not associated with uptake.

An examination of individual provider characteristics in the dissemination and uptake of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

Support for the use of evidence-based psychological practice in Canada is growing, but there remains a large gap between psychotherapy research and real-world psychotherapy practice. There also exists a chasm between the number of clinicians who attend psychotherapy trainings and those who implement the training material into their clinical practice. The present study examined individual provider characteristics in the uptake of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. There was a trend for an interaction between attitudes toward manualized treatments and attitudes toward the use of couple therapy to treat individuals with PTDS. Specifically, as attitudes in each area were more positive, piecemeal uptake of the protocol decreased. Contrary to hypothesis, prior training in couple therapy or in cognitive-behavioural therapy for PTDS, years since the highest degree was completed, and therapeutic orientation were not associated with uptake.

A Qualitative Study of Practitioners’ Views on Family Involvement in Treatment Process of Adolescent Internet Addiction

Despite emerging evidence of the effectiveness of a family-focused approach as an Internet addiction (IA) treatment modality for adolescents, little research has been done to explore family involvement in the treatment process from the clinician’s perspective. This study employed a qualitative design to examine practitioners’ views pertaining to the roles and challenges of family participation in IA intervention. In total, 10 practitioners working with adolescents with IA were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcribed interviews. Three overreaching themes were synthesized: That family involvement in IA intervention is challenging yet important; shifting the focus from the adolescent to the relationship; and provision of individualized services and intervention to address the heterogeneous nature of cases. The findings show that family participation in IA treatment is successful in enhancing positive outcomes. The needs of adolescents with IA and family members are addressed through individual counseling and psychoeducation, respectively. Conjoint therapy sessions foster effective communication, improve family interactions and functioning, and restore relationships. However, caution regarding family dynamics is required when considering whether family involvement is appropriate. Practitioners need to establish therapeutic alliances and be flexible when working with family members in terms of the degree and arrangement of participation.