Couple's Retreats for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Numerous studies have documented an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and intimate relationship problems in Veterans and their partners, including relationship distress, physical and psychological aggression, and psychological distress in partners. Prior studies support the use of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD (CBCT for PTSD) to treat PTSD and comorbid symptoms while simultaneously improving intimate relationship functioning. However, the standard outpatient format of CBCT for PTSD (i.e., fifteen 75-minute sessions over 15 weeks) presents challenges for many couples as well as for large-scale dissemination. To address these concerns, Dr. Steffany Fredman in collaboration with the STRONG STAR Consortium to Alleviate PTSD adapted CBCT for PTSD into an accelerated, intensive, multiple-couple format (AIM-CBCT for PTSD). The initial data of AIM-CBCT for PTSD tested in 24 couples was promising suggesting that this two-day retreat can reduce PTSD symptoms and improve mental health and relationship functioning in post-9/11 service members/veteran couples. In September 2021, the South Texas Research Organizational Network Guiding Studies on Trauma and Resilience (STRONG STAR) initiated a clinical program which provides AIM-CBCT for PTSD to Texas Veteran couples impacted by PTSD symptoms. Within the clinical program, couples are asked to participate in an intake assessment to determine eligibility for treatment, a 60-minute pre-retreat meeting, a two-day retreat, a two-week post-retreat assessment, and a two-week post-retreat check-in. Couples who are eligible for the clinical program will be invited to participate in this replication study, which examines whether AIM-CBCT for PTSD is associated with reductions in PTSD and improvements in relationship functioning in a broader Veteran sample of up to 80 couples. Research Questions and Hypotheses: 1. Will Accelerated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy delivered in a 2-day retreat (AIM-CBCT for PTSD) be associated with significant improvements in patient-rated PTSD symptom severity, as measured by the PTSD Checklist-DSM-5 (PCL-5), when assessed two-weeks and one month after treatment? Hypothesis 1: Participation in AIM-CBCT for PTSD will be associated with a significant reduction of self-reported PTSD symptoms on the Posttraumatic Checklist-DSM 5 (PCL-5) at the one-month follow-up assessment. 2. Will AIM-CBCT for PTSD be associated with significant improvements in secondary outcomes (e.g., patient self-reported comorbid symptom severity, relationship satisfaction) when assessed two-weeks and one month after treatment? Hypothesis 2: Participation in AIM-CBCT for PTSD will be associated with a significant reduction of Veteran/Service members' self-reported mental health symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; General Anxiety Disorder-7) at the one-month follow-up assessment. Hypothesis 3: Participation in AIM-CBCT for PTSD will be associated with a significant reduction of partners'' self-reported mental health symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; General Anxiety Disorder-7) at the one-month follow-up assessment. Hypothesis 4: Participation in AIM-CBCT for PTSD will be associated with a significant increase in self-reported relationship satisfaction on the Couples Satisfaction Index-32) at the one-month follow-up assessment for both partners.