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Structured Approach Therapy for Combat-Related PTSD in Returning U.S. Veterans: Complementary Mediation by Changes in
Frederic J Sautter1,2, Shirley M Glynn3,4, Julia J Becker-Cretu2
1Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
|July 30, 2016
Summary
Structured Approach Therapy (SAT) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in veterans by improving emotion regulation and reducing fear of intense emotions. This couples therapy offers a novel approach for combat veterans.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Military Mental Health
Background:
- Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly impacts U.S. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans.
- Previous research demonstrated the efficacy of Structured Approach Therapy (SAT), a 12-session manualized couples treatment, in reducing PTSD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct supplemental follow-up and mediation analyses on SAT for combat-related PTSD in OEF/OIF veterans.
- To test the hypothesis that improved emotion functioning mediates PTSD symptom reduction in veterans receiving SAT.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial comparing SAT to a 12-session PTSD family education intervention.
- Mediation analyses were performed to assess the role of emotion regulation and fear of intense emotions in PTSD symptom reduction.
Main Results:
- Veterans receiving SAT showed significantly greater reductions in emotion regulation problems and fear of intense emotions compared to the control group.
- Decreases in emotion regulation problems and fear of intense emotions were complementary mediators of PTSD symptom reduction.
Conclusions:
- SAT aids veterans in improving their ability to regulate trauma-related emotions.
- Emotion functioning improvements are key mechanisms through which SAT reduces PTSD symptoms in combat veterans.
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