Change in social support while participating in behavioral activation for PTSD

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Lack of social support is a significant factor in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development and maintenance.
• Social dysfunction and estrangement predict suicidal ideation in individuals with PTSD.
• There is a need for effective treatments to enhance social functioning in veterans with PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of behavioral activation (BA) in improving social support among veterans with PTSD.
• To compare BA with treatment as usual (TAU) for PTSD in enhancing social support.

Main Methods:

• Eighty veterans of recent Iraq and Afghanistan operations were randomized to receive either BA or TAU.
• BA treatment focused on reducing avoidance and increasing engagement in valued activities.
• Social support was assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Veterans receiving BA showed a statistically significant increase in the number of social supports compared to TAU (p = .014).
• These improvements in the number of social supports were not maintained at the 3-month follow-up.
• No significant differences were found in satisfaction with social supports between the BA and TAU groups.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral activation may help veterans with PTSD increase their perceived number of social supports.
• Treatment adaptations are likely necessary to ensure sustained improvements in social support and satisfaction.
• Further research is needed to optimize BA for long-term social functioning in PTSD.