Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2025

Simultaneous Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation during Virtual Reality Exposure
Published on: January 18, 2021
Family-involved interventions may offer unique benefits for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Megan Shepherd-Banigan1, Hope Salameh2, Abigail Shapiro1
1Durham VA Health Care System.
Objective:
Family strain, which reflects the overall function of the family system, could play an important role in routine posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) care. We examined how high/low family strain influences perceptions of a family-involved intervention for Veterans with PTSD to inform the design and implementation of family-centered interventions in routine PTSD care.
Method:
Sequential explanatory mixed methods study that analyzed qualitative exit interview data from a three-session family-involved pilot study stratified by Veteran baseline scores of family strain (Veteran n = 16; support partner [SP] n = 12). Themes were identified via rapid qualitative analysis of interview data categorized by high/low strain.
Results:
Eleven Veterans (nine associated SPs) were classified as experiencing high and five Veterans (three associated SPs) were classified as experiencing low family strain. While nearly 50% of Veterans reported belonging to a non-White racial group, all of the Veterans were men. Themes reflected preintervention expectations, intervention experiences, and postintervention changes. Differences in intervention experiences were observed with different family strain levels. Participants in the high strain group articulated concrete goals for the intervention and provided more details about benefits, including an enhanced understanding of PTSD, improved family communication, and increased social support. Participants in the high strain group reported more discomfort with the intervention process, especially the conjoint sessions.
Conclusions:
Family-involved interventions for Veterans with high family strain are feasible and may have even greater benefits than for Veterans reporting low family strain. Future research is needed to empirically test this hypothesis and to understand the experiences of female Veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
More Related Videos
07:56Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
08:25Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Family Therapy
Strategic Family Therapy
Strategic family therapy emphasizes resolving communication barriers and improving problem-solving abilities...
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Couples Therapy
Core Principles and Techniques
Couples therapy often incorporates cognitive-behavioral principles to identify and modify negative...
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...