Comparison of successful, unsuccessful, and relapsed Vietnam veterans treated for posttraumatic stress disorder

The present study investigated the differences between veterans who benefited from intensive treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those who either relapsed or showed no improvement following treatment. Data from 45 combat veterans with PTSD completing at least 6 weeks of treatment in a partial hospitalization program were utilized. Veterans who had improved following treatment and had maintained a positive adjustment 18 months following treatment were found to have had lower rates of alcohol consumption and greater program participation than those who were unimproved or relapsed. These veterans also obtained lower scores on the MMPI-PTSD subscale, the global indices of the SCL-90-R, and seven of nine individual symptom scales of the SCL-90-R. These results were consistent with other recent reports concerning the existence and characteristics of Vietnam veteran symptom overreporters in studies using the MMPI, and suggest possible treatment outcome predictors for these groups.