Treatment-related beliefs and reactions among trauma-focused therapy completers and discontinuers: A qualitative examination.

Prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are effective, but some patients do not respond adequately, and dropout rates are high. Patients' beliefs about treatment and perceptions of treatment components influence treatment outcomes and may be amenable to change through intervention. The present study sought to identify beliefs and reactions to PE and CPT that differentiated completers who screened negative for a PTSD diagnosis after treatment (PTSD-), completers who screened positive for a PTSD diagnosis after treatment (PTSD+), and discontinuers who attended six or fewer sessions. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes in qualitative data collected via retrospective semistructured interviews with 51 completers (19 PTSD- after treatment, 32 PTSD+ after treatment) and 66 discontinuers of PE/CPT. Participants were demographically diverse veterans across service eras. Treatment-related beliefs and reactions differentiating these groups included perceived helpfulness of treatment, self-efficacy in engaging in treatment, anticipatory anxiety and concerns, interpretations of ongoing symptoms, and perceived consequences of treatment on functioning. Further, some patterns seemed to differ in early treatment sessions compared to during the active components of treatment. Findings point to potentially malleable targets that could be intervened upon to improve trauma-focused treatment outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Provider perceptions of their patients' dropout from trauma-focused therapy for PTSD in the U.S. Veterans Health Administration.

OBJECTIVE: Many patients who initiate prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) do not complete a full course, although little is known about how providers view PE and CPT dropout among their own patients. METHOD: Semistructured interviews were conducted with providers (n = 29) in the Veterans Health Administration to understand each provider's experience of dropout by a specific patient whom they treated using PE or CPT. Content analysis was used to categorize perceptions of dropout as negative, somewhat negative, or not negative. Themes associated with somewhat or not negative views of dropout were identified via inductive coding. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of providers viewed their patient's dropout from PE or CPT as wholly negative, 38% as somewhat negative, and 48% as not a negative outcome. Themes associated with viewing dropout as something other than wholly negative included belief that the patient would not benefit from treatment if they were not ready, the importance of maintaining the therapeutic relationship, the view that trauma-focused therapy was not what the patient needed or that the patient could benefit from other approaches, the impression that the patient had made some gains, and that patients are responsible for treatment engagement and have the right to disengage. CONCLUSIONS: Providers' perceptions of dropout from PE or CPT for individual patients were rarely viewed as entirely negative. Research is needed to help providers determine when patient dropout is an undesirable outcome and when efforts to reengage patients in trauma-focused treatment are warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Divergent experiences of U.S. veterans who did and did not complete trauma-focused therapies for PTSD: A national qualitative study of treatment dropout.

Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are first-line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have been disseminated throughout the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Treatment non-completion is common and lessens clinical effectiveness; however, prior work has failed to identify factors consistently associated with non-completion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a national sample of veterans who recently completed (n = 60) or did not complete (n = 66) PE or CPT. Non-completer interviews focused on factors that contributed to veterans' decisions to drop out and efforts undertaken to complete PE/CPT. Completer interviews focused on challenges faced in completing treatment and facilitators of completion. Transcripts were coded using a mixed deductive/inductive approach; constant comparison was used to identify differences between completers and non-completers. Completers and non-completers differed in the extent of treatment-specific therapist support received, therapists' flexibility in treatment delivery, the type of encouragement offered by the care team and social supports, their interpretation of symptom worsening, the perceived impact of treatment on functioning, and the impact of stressors on their treatment engagement. Treatment-specific therapist support, more patient-centered and flexible treatment delivery, leveraging the full care team, and addressing functional concerns are potential targets for PE and CPT engagement interventions.

Effectiveness of training methods for delivery of evidence-based psychotherapies: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Extensive efforts have been made to train mental health providers in evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs); there is increasing attention focused on the methods through which providers are trained to deliver EBPs. Evaluating EBP training methods is an important step in determining which methods are most effective in increasing provider skill and improving client outcomes. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (Ovid) and PsycINFO for randomized controlled trials published from 1990 through June 2019 that evaluated EBP training methods to determine the effectiveness of EBP training modalities on implementation (provider and cost) and client outcomes. Eligible studies (N = 28) were evaluated for risk of bias, and the overall strength of evidence was assessed for each outcome. Data was extracted by a single investigator and confirmed by a second; risk of bias and strength of evidence were independently rated by two investigators and determined by consensus. RESULTS: Overall, EBP training improved short-term provider satisfaction, EBP knowledge, and adherence compared to no training or self-study of training materials (low to moderate strength of evidence). Training in an EBP did not increase treatment adoption compared to no training or self-study. No specific active EBP training modality was found to consistently increase provider EBP knowledge, skill acquisition/adherence, competence, adoption, or satisfaction compared to another active training modality. Findings were mixed regarding the additive benefit of post-training consultation on these outcomes. No studies evaluated changes in provider outcomes with regards to training costs and few studies reported on client outcomes. LIMITATIONS: The majority of included studies had a moderate risk of bias and strength of evidence for the outcomes of interest was generally low or insufficient. Few studies reported effect sizes. The ability to identify the most effective EBP training methods was limited by low strength of evidence for the outcomes of interest and substantial heterogeneity among studies. CONCLUSIONS: EBP training may have increased short-term provider satisfaction, EBP knowledge, and adherence though not adoption. Evidence was insufficient on training costs and client outcomes. Future research is needed on EBP training methods, implementation, sustainability, client outcomes, and costs to ensure efforts to train providers in EBPs are effective, efficient, and durable. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol for this review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018093381).

Feasibility pilot of a brief mindfulness intervention for college students with posttraumatic stress symptoms and problem drinking.

OBJECTIVE: A significant subset of college students experience PTSD symptoms, and many engage in problematic alcohol use. Some college students with PTSD symptoms may use alcohol and other substances to cope with their symptoms, and those with PTSD experience more negative alcohol and drug consequences than those without PTSD. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) have been successfully utilized for individuals with PTSD or substance use disorders. However, to date, no studies have evaluated MBIs for college students with co-occurring PTSD symptoms and problem drinking. METHOD: This study was a feasibility pilot of a 4-week group loving-kindness meditation (LKM) intervention, a practice of intentionally directing well wishes to oneself and others. LKM was compared to referral to treatment as usual (RTAU) for non-treatment seeking college students (N=75) with PTSD symptoms and problem drinking. RESULTS: Overall, the LKM group had low to moderate feasibility and acceptability among college students, as recruitment was lower than expected and attendance at LKM groups was modest. Participants' PTSD symptoms, drinking quantity, and negative drinking consequences decreased, and state mindfulness increased over the course of the study, but there were no significant differences between LKM and RTAU on these outcomes. Additionally, higher coping drinking motives predicted greater PTSD symptoms and more drinking consequences over the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions for college students with PTSD symptoms and problematic alcohol use are needed, especially for individuals who drink to cope with their PTSD symptoms. Future research on LKM that addresses the limitations of the current study is warranted.

Gender differences in rates and predictors of individual psychotherapy initiation and completion among Veterans Health Administration users recently diagnosed with PTSD.

OBJECTIVE: Most veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who receive care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) do not receive individual psychotherapy. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in initiation and completion of a sufficient course (defined as attending 8 or more sessions) of individual psychotherapy among male and female VHA users recently diagnosed with PTSD. METHOD: Participants (N = 7,218) were veterans in a prospective national cohort survey of VHA users diagnosed with PTSD; oversampling was used to increase representation of women and minority veterans. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of the sample (40.1% of men, 52.3% of women) initiated individual psychotherapy within 6 months of their index PTSD diagnosis. Of those who initiated, 12.1% (10.8% of men, 17.7% of women) completed a sufficient course of individual psychotherapy. Women were generally more likely than men to initiate individual psychotherapy. However, we found an interaction between gender and age, such that younger men were more likely to initiate psychotherapy than older men; age was not significantly associated with initiation among women. Regarding completion of individual psychotherapy, an interaction between gender and beliefs about psychotherapy was found, such that men were less likely to complete individual psychotherapy when they held more negative beliefs about psychotherapy; these beliefs did not significantly impact female veterans' likelihood of completing psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, while female veterans are more likely than male veterans with PTSD to initiate individual psychotherapy, rates of initiation and completion of individual psychotherapy for both genders remain relatively low. Interventions are needed to increase engagement in individual psychotherapy, particularly for male veterans with PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Underutilization of the current clinical capacity to provide buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorders within the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a critical concern among US veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) recommends buprenorphine as a first-line treatment for OUD; however, only 35% of veterans with an OUD currently receive medication treatment. Practical barriers, including the capacity of providers to prescribe, may affect delivery of buprenorphine. We examined the current state of buprenorphine treatment within the VHA. METHODS: National VHA administrative databases were queried to identify all providers credentialed to prescribe buprenorphine as of January 2018. Data were extracted on providers' prescribing capacity (30, 100, or 275 patients concurrently) and number of patients who received buprenorphine in the prior 180 days. RESULTS: A total of 1458 VHA providers were credentialed to prescribe buprenorphine. Forty-three percent of providers had not prescribed buprenorphine to any VHA patients in the past 180 days. Of those that prescribed to at least 1 patient, providers still prescribed to fewer patients than their capacity, regardless of their patient panel size (30, 100, or 275), prescribing to 18.5 patients on average. CONCLUSIONS: VHA providers are prescribing buprenorphine below their capacity. A multipronged approach to increase the number of credentialed providers and address barriers to prescribing is needed to ensure that veterans get effective treatment for OUD.

What changes when? The course of improvement during a stage-based treatment for suicidal and self-injuring women with borderline personality disorder and PTSD.

OBJECTIVE: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with the DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) protocol is an integrated treatment for suicidal and self-injuring individuals with PTSD and borderline personality disorder (BPD) that occurs in three stages: Stage 1 targets behavioral dyscontrol, Stage 2 targets posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) via the DBT PE protocol, and Stage 3 addresses remaining problems. We evaluated the course of change in multiple outcomes across these three stages and compared them to changes found in DBT alone. METHOD: Participants were 38 women with BPD, PTSD and recent suicidal and/or non-suicidal self-injury. Data were collected weekly or bi-weekly to assess PTSD, BPD, global well-being, state dissociation, and urges to engage in problem behaviors. RESULTS: In DBT + DBT PE, there was a significant improvement in PTSD in Stage 2 and in PTSD, BPD, and state dissociation in Stage 3. Compared to DBT, DBT + DBT PE led to significantly higher global well-being and moderately, but non-significantly, lower PTSD and BPD in Stages 2 and/or 3. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD does not improve until it is directly targeted and changes in other comorbid problems occur after PTSD is treated. Adding the DBT PE protocol to DBT was associated with improvement rather than worsening of outcomes.

Effects of trauma and PTSD on self-reported physical functioning in sexual minority women.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual minority women (lesbians, bisexual women, and women who partner with women) experience high rates of trauma exposure, are more likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and have high rates of physical health problems compared with heterosexual women. The present study tested whether PTSD may be the mechanism through which trauma exposure affects self-reported physical functioning in this population. METHOD: In a sample of 857 sexual minority women, we examined the association between trauma exposure and worsening physical functioning (measured using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey) 2 years later, whether PTSD mediated this relationship, and if so, which PTSD symptom clusters best accounted for this mediation. RESULTS: Results showed that more Criterion A traumatic events experienced (based on DSM-IV) predicted greater decline in physical functioning 2 years later, and PTSD symptoms mediated this relationship, explaining 73% of the total effect. The arousal/reactivity symptom cluster was the only significant mediator, explaining 68% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that PTSD, and arousal/reactivity symptoms in particular, may be the mechanism through which traumatic events negatively impact self-reported physical functioning. These findings provide further evidence that, for this at risk population, treating PTSD as soon as possible after onset may improve long term physical functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record

Blackout Drinking Predicts Sexual Revictimization in a College Sample of Binge-Drinking Women.

Sexual victimization is prevalent on U.S. college campuses. Some women experience multiple sexual victimizations with heightened risk among those with prior victimization histories. One risk factor for sexual revictimization is alcohol use. Most research has focused on associations between alcohol consumption and revictimization. The current study's objective was to understand potential mechanisms by which drinking confers risk for revictimization. We hypothesized that specific drinking consequences would predict risk for revictimization above and beyond the quantity of alcohol consumed. There were 162 binge-drinking female students (mean age = 20.21 years, 71.3% White, 36.9% juniors) from the University of Washington who were assessed for baseline victimization (categorized as childhood vs. adolescent victimization), quantity of alcohol consumed, and drinking consequences experienced, then assessed 30 days later for revictimization. There were 40 (24.6%) women who were revictimized in the following 30 days. Results showed that blackout drinking at baseline predicted incapacitated sexual revictimization among women previously victimized as adolescents, after accounting for quantity of alcohol consumed (OR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.07, 3.01]). Other drinking consequences were not strongly predictive of revictimization. Adolescent sexual victimization was an important predictor of sexual revictimization in college women; blackout drinking may confer unique risk for revictimization.