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Processes of Change in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youth: An Emotional Processing Theory Informed
Elizabeth Alpert1, Adele M Hayes1, Carly Yasinski2
1University of Delaware, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
Summary
This study on trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) found that activating negative responses in multiple domains predicted reduced internalizing and PTSD symptoms. Linear increases in positive responses improved externalizing symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is a common treatment for youth exposed to trauma.
- Emotional processing theory (EPT) provides a framework for understanding therapeutic change by focusing on pathological and adaptive responses.
- Understanding the specific processes of change within TF-CBT is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the processes of change within TF-CBT using Emotional Processing Theory (EPT) as a framework.
- To investigate the activation of pathological and adaptive trauma-related responses across cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological domains during TF-CBT.
- To determine the relationship between patterns of response activation and treatment outcomes in youth.
Main Methods:
- A community sample of 81 youth undergoing TF-CBT was studied.
- Sessions during the trauma processing phase were coded to assess the activation of pathological and adaptive responses across four domains.
- Response activation was measured by intensity and the number of domains affected.
Main Results:
- Curvilinear (inverted U-shaped) changes in multimodal negative response scores predicted improvements in internalizing and PTSD symptoms.
- Linear increases in multimodal positive response scores predicted improvements in externalizing symptoms.
- Activation of responses across multiple domains (0-4) at moderate to high intensity was associated with treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Activating and modifying both pathological and adaptive trauma responses across multiple domains is valuable in TF-CBT.
- Examining nonlinear patterns of change, such as curvilinear effects, is important for understanding therapeutic mechanisms.
- The findings support the utility of EPT in guiding TF-CBT by highlighting the importance of multimodal emotional processing.
Keywords:
childhood traumaemotional processingposttraumatic stress disorderpsychotherapy processtrauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapyMore Related Videos
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