Acceptability of a transdiagnostic behavior therapy in veterans with affective disorders

Transdiagnostic behavior therapy (TBT) has been found to lead to significant reductions in affective disorder symptoms. However, patient satisfaction and treatment fit for TBT have not been examined. Within a sample of veterans, the current study examined the acceptability of TBT in comparison to brief behavioral activation (BA) for depression. Results found individuals in the TBT condition (compared to BA) were more satisfied with therapy, F(1, 48) = 6.68, p = .013. In addition, they were more likely to say that they would recommend this treatment to a friend, F(1, 48) = 3.76, p = .058, and that the TBT treatment helped them more effectively deal with problems, F(1, 48) = 3.29, p = .076, although these effects were significant at trend level. Individuals in the TBT condition (compared to BA) completed significantly more homework, F(1, 65) = 4.95, p = .030, and were more engaged in their homework, F(1, 65) = 3.98, p = .050. These findings are the first of their kind and suggest high patient satisfaction and homework completion/participation in participants completing TBT. These results are promising and suggest the continued dissemination and implementation of transdiagnostic treatments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).