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Self-reported problems: a comparison between PTSD-diagnosed veterans, their spouses, and clinicians
D Biddle1, P Elliott, M Creamer
1Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, West Heidelberg, Melbourne, Vic. dabiddle@unimelb.edu.au
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|June 21, 2002
Summary
This study on Vietnam veterans with PTSD found that while veterans, spouses, and clinicians agreed on anger as a key issue, each group also highlighted distinct problems, impacting PTSD treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Veterans' Health
Background:
- Understanding the perspectives of veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is crucial for effective treatment.
- Discrepancies in problem identification among veterans, their spouses, and clinicians can complicate therapeutic interventions.
- Examining informant agreement in self-reported problems among help-seeking Vietnam veterans with PTSD is essential for a holistic approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare self-reported problems of help-seeking Vietnam veterans with PTSD from the veteran's, spouse's, and clinician's perspectives.
- To examine the convergence and divergence of problem ratings across these three informant groups.
- To identify specific problem areas prioritized by each informant group to inform PTSD treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 459 help-seeking Vietnam veterans diagnosed with PTSD participated.
- Veterans, their spouses, and treating clinicians independently rated the five most serious problems.
- Statistical analysis was used to calculate endorsement rates and inter-rater agreement for each problem area.
Main Results:
- Anger was consistently rated as a high-priority problem across veterans, spouses, and clinicians.
- Veterans prioritized anxiety and depression, while spouses focused on observable behavioral issues like interpersonal difficulties and avoidance.
- Clinicians identified psychopathology indicators such as anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts; overall agreement was generally high but complex.
Conclusions:
- Despite general agreement on anger, distinct problem priorities exist among veterans, spouses, and clinicians in PTSD.
- Integrating multiple perspectives is vital for a comprehensive understanding and effective treatment of PTSD in veterans.
- Tailoring interventions to address the specific concerns of each informant group may enhance therapeutic outcomes.
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