None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Prominent treatments for post-traumatic stress (PTS) involve confronting the traumatic memory and associated thoughts, feelings and sensations. There is recent evidence to suggest that such treatment methods may not need be extensive and may be effective in a short-term intervention, such as structured writing. The proposed research aims to explore the effectiveness of two experimental writing paradigms in comparison to a control, for producing change in PTS symptoms. The research additionally aims to explore the factors that promote recovery (i.e. mechanisms of change). In particular, it will explore the role of each of four putative mechanisms: (1) changing learnt expectation of distress on recounting, (2) changing thinking about the event, (3) self-compassion, and (4) social sharing). It is hypothesised that the experimental conditions will produce change in PTS symptoms in comparison to the control; and that the factors which will account for these changes (i.e. mechanisms) will differ depending on type of writing condition and its associated underlying theoretical paradigm.
Interventions
Participants will be randomised to one of three writing conditions (two experimental and one control).
Intervention condition 1: Repeated Written Recounting.
Repeated Written Recounting is a structured writing intervention that emphases repeated recounting (also known as 'exposure') of the traumatic event. It is an adapted version of Sloan and colleagues (2018) 'Written Exposure Therapy.' It involves three 20-minute writing sessions spaced one week apart, in detail, about emotions, physical s
Participants will be randomised to one of three writing conditions (two experimental and one control). Intervention condition 1: Repeated Written Recounting. Repeated Written Recounting is a structured writing intervention that emphases repeated recounting (also known as 'exposure') of the traumatic event. It is an adapted version of Sloan and colleagues (2018) 'Written Exposure Therapy.' It involves three 20-minute writing sessions spaced one week apart, in detail, about emotions, physical sensations, and thoughts, related to the traumatic event. Intervention condition 2: Written Cognitive Reprocessing. Written Cognitive Reprocessing is a structured writing intervention that emphasises processing of the traumatic event, cognitive restructuring, and social sharing. It is an adapted version of Lange and colleagues' (2000) 'Interapy'. It involves three 20-minute writing sessions spaced one week apart, instructing participants to make meaning of the trauma, write about the trauma as if it happened to a friend, and take symbolic leave from the trauma. Both experimental conditions involve the following: Three writing sessions spaced one week apart. All sessions are completed online in a teleconference with the primary researcher. The researcher will be located in a private room at the Research School of Psychology, Australian National University. A 5-10 minute check-in prior to writing task, to discuss progress over past week, and any questions or concerns. A 5-10 minute debrief after the writing task to discuss experiences during writing, and any questions or concerns. In session one, participants are provided with 20-minutes of psychoeducation about trauma reactions, maintaining features of PTS, and how writing may help. After each session, participants will be emailed a handout devised by researchers on how to allow themselves to continue confronting trauma memories as they come up in-between writing sessions (how to identify what is happening, how to allow thoughts, feelings and images to wash over, and what to do if it becomes too overwhelming). Participants' assigned researcher will read over the submitted essay (provided participant has consented to submitting their writing task) to monitor adherence to writing instructions and provide feedback at the following appointment.
Sponsors
Australian National University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adults residing in Australia who have experienced a traumatic event that still distresses them (according to endorsement of at least one symptom of each B-E criteria on PCL-5). Willingness to write about traumatic event in detail. Willingness to be allocated randomly to one of three conditions. If on medication, currently taking a stable dose for over a month.
Exclusion criteria
Currently undergoing psychotherapy elsewhere (no exclusion for past psychotherapy that has concluded). Dissociative tendency. Current alcohol or drug abuse. Current suicidality. History or current psychosis. Likely to be inaccessible for the 3 weeks of writing. Unable to write in English.
Outcome results
None listed