A comparison of OEF and OIF veterans and Vietnam veterans receiving cognitive processing therapy

Abstract

The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are producing large numbers of veterans who have experienced a variety of combat stressors. The potential impact of combat exposure has been established, including significant rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Limited research has examined potential differences between veteran groups and one study to date has examined differences between eras in terms of treatment response. The present study seeks to examine cohort differences between Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and Vietnam veterans (N = 101) before and after completing treatment for PTSD using cognitive processing therapy. Findings suggest that veterans from these eras responded differently to treatment and there are multiple variables that should be considered in future cohort studies.

Dissemination and experience with cognitive processing therapy

“…In an outpatient setting, both Vietnam war and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans receiving CPT demonstrated significant drops in PTSD and depressive symptoms from pre-to posttreatment [6]. In another study, male patients with comorbid PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) who received CPT-C, augmented by psychoeducation groups, speech therapy, and cognitive retraining, in a PTSD and TBI residential setting showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms [7].…”

Evidence-Based Practices, Ethical Considerations, and Advocacy Efforts to Reduce Mental Health Stigma in Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

“…Coping creates the ability to appropriately manage, adapt, and accept situations and is learned through psychoeducation [27]. Clinicians help clients label and identify triggers and behavioral patterns that negatively affect their functioning and mood states.…”

“…It is manualized and has been shown to be efficacious as well as brief, requiring only twelve structured individual or group sessions [27]. Psychoeducation plays a crucial role in teaching the client to better understand the power behind his or her thoughts and feelings.…”

Exploring Outcome Predictors in UK Veterans Treated for PTSD

“…Given this, it is encouraging that treatment programmes for PTSD in UK, US, Canadian, and Australian veterans that incorporate elements of individual trauma-focused therapy, and in many cases are supplemented by group therapy, have reported significant improvements that have been maintained at follow up (Richardson, Contractor, Armour, St Cyr, Elhai, & Sareen, 2014;Forbes, Lewis, Parslow, Hawthorne, & Creamer, 2008a;Creamer, Morris, Biddle, & Elliot, 1999;Murphy et al, 2015;Morland et al, 2014;Chard, Schumm, Owens, & Cottingham, 2010;Resick, Monson, & Chard, 2007;Monson, Schnurr, Resick, Friedman, Young-Xu, & Stevens, 2006).…”

“…More recently, US researchers have demonstrated the efficacy of using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for veterans with PTSD (Morland et al, 2014;Chard, Schumm, Owens, & Cottingham, 2010;Monson et al, 2006).…”