A protocol for a randomized comparative effectiveness trial for treating PTSD symptoms for LGBTQIA+ people

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• LGBTQIA+ individuals experience higher rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Minority stress and substance use can complicate PTSD treatment outcomes in LGBTQIA+ populations.
• Limited large-scale clinical trials exist comparing PTSD treatments specifically for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and STAIR Narrative Therapy (SNT) for reducing PTSD and depression symptoms in LGBTQIA+ individuals.
• To assess treatment dropout rates and participant satisfaction between CPT and SNT.
• To examine minority stress and substance use as moderators of treatment effectiveness and analyze treatment effect heterogeneity across demographic subgroups.

Main Methods:

• A comparative effectiveness study recruiting LGBTQIA+ participants from community mental health settings and organizations across California.
• Randomization to either Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) or STAIR Narrative Therapy (SNT) for eligible participants with PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5 scores ≥33).
• Longitudinal survey assessments conducted at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention.

Main Results:

• This section is not yet available as the study is ongoing.

Conclusions:

• This research will address critical gaps in understanding effective PTSD treatments for LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Findings are expected to guide the development and implementation of evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing PTSD.