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Published on: March 8, 2018
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A randomized controlled trial assists individuals with complex trauma and dissociation in Finding Solid Ground
Bethany L Brand1, Hygge J Schielke2, Karen Putnam3
1Department of Psychology, Towson University.
Psychological Trauma : Theory, Research, Practice and Policy
|February 27, 2025
Summary
An online program improved emotion regulation, PTSD symptoms, and self-compassion in individuals with trauma-related dissociation (TRD). This adjunctive therapy enhanced adaptive capacities, showing significant benefits for complex PTSD patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Mental Health Interventions
Background:
- Trauma-related dissociation (TRD) requires effective treatments, often presenting with complex PTSD and high suicidality.
- Current therapeutic options for TRD, including dissociative disorders, are limited.
- The Finding Solid Ground (FSG) program offers psychoeducation for managing trauma-related symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of an adjunctive online psychoeducational program (FSG) for individuals with high trauma-related dissociation (TRD).
- To assess changes in symptoms and adaptive capacities in patients receiving FSG alongside standard psychotherapy.
- To determine the impact of FSG on emotion regulation, PTSD symptoms, and self-compassion.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 291 outpatients with various TRD diagnoses (ICD-10).
- Participants were assigned to immediate FSG access or a 6-month waitlist control group.
- Standard psychotherapy was continued by outpatient therapists for all participants.
Main Results:
- The immediate FSG group demonstrated significant improvements in emotion regulation, PTSD symptoms, self-compassion, and adaptive capacities at 6 months compared to the waitlist group.
- Large effect sizes (|g|s = 0.95-1.32) were observed for these improvements from study entry to 12 months in the immediate FSG group.
- The waitlist group achieved comparable improvements after 6 months of accessing the FSG program.
Conclusions:
- Adding the Finding Solid Ground (FSG) program to psychotherapy significantly improves outcomes for individuals with trauma-related dissociation (TRD).
- FSG enhances emotion regulation, reduces PTSD symptoms, increases self-compassion, and improves adaptive functioning in this population.
- The study supports FSG as a valuable adjunctive treatment for complex PTSD and related dissociative disorders.
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