Couples Communication, PTSD, Recent Era Combat Veteran
Conditions
Keywords
PTSD, Couples, Combat Veteran, Warfighter, OEF, OIF, OND, Structured Approach Therapy, Trauma
Brief summary
A pilot intervention of an existing intervention adapted for the returning warfighter population: a couples treatment for PTSD, Structured Approach Therapy (SAT), which emphasizes reducing the PTSD avoidance/numbing symptoms that are corrosive in families.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStructured Approach Therapy
The SAT treatment is provided in 12 weekly 50-minute sessions and is fully manualized. First, couple-based exposure techniques are used to address anxiety about intimacy, increasing the traumatized person's ability to engage in social and relational behaviors that promote bonding and satisfaction. Second, as anxiety decreases, couple-based techniques are also used to increase the positive experiences the couple is having. These activities expose the traumatized person to positive feelings instead of anxiety, so that he/she may become desensitized to the anxiety caused by the closeness, and more comfortable engaging in intimate behaviors.
Sponsors
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
University of California, Los Angeles
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* OIF/OEF/ OND veteran with at least one deployment * In a cohabitating relationship for 6 months or longer * Cohabitating 50% of the time or more * Diagnosed with PTSD or meets the diagnosis criteria for PTSD as related to deployment experience (CAPS) * Ability to make weekly appointments * Willingness to commit to change
Exclusion criteria
* Receiving an evidence-based treatment for PTSD within the past 6 months * Receiving couples therapy within the last 6 months * Moderate or excessive physical violence within the past 3 months (CTS) * Alcohol/substance dependence (SCID) * Known domestic violence/abuse (CTS) * Symptoms of psychosis within the past 3 months * Unstable psychiatric medicine usage or on regimen less than 3 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Improved couples communication as measured by standardized assessments | 4-6 months |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed