PTSD treatment response and quality of life in women with childhood trauma histories.

Abstract

Objective: Childhood trauma is associated with greater psychological problems and poorer quality of life (QOL). This study evaluates the effect of multiple types of childhood trauma on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and QOL following cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Understanding how the breadth of traumatic experiences in childhood can influence psychosocial treatment outcomes may help to identify the unique needs of this population. Method: This secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial delivering CPT to civilian (n = 105) and veteran women (n = 21) with PTSD used linear regressions to examine relationships between the number of unique types of childhood trauma, PTSD, and QOL before and after treatment. Models controlled for demographic information, adult trauma, and pretreatment PTSD, depression, and QOL scores. Results: More types of childhood trauma predicted pretreatment PTSD symptoms (B = 1.98, p = .02) but not QOL (B = −.018, p = .18). Significant reductions in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM–IV–TR score, t(302) = 10.32, p < .001, and QOL, t(309) = −4.06, p < .001, were reported after treatment; number of traumatic event types was not predictive of QOL change (B = .01, p = .957). Women with more types of trauma reported significantly less PTSD symptom reduction when compared with those with one type (B = 3.12, p = .042). Conclusion: Women who experienced a broader range of childhood trauma may experience diminished PTSD symptom reduction following CPT in comparison with women with less exposure. On average, all women, regardless of trauma history, reported small improvements in QOL. Clinical considerations are discussed.

Is There an Ace Up Our Sleeve? A Review of Interventions and Strategies for Addressing Behavioral and Neurobiological Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Youth

“…A formal adaptation of CPT for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse found this protocol to be superior to minimal attention control active comparison in reducing traumarelated beliefs and PTSD symptoms (Owens, Pike, & Chard, 2001). However, a recent study in women with a broader range of childhood trauma histories saw a weakened reduction in PTSD symptoms when compared with women who experienced fewer types of trauma (Bosch, Mackintosh, Wells, Wickramasinghe, Glassman, & Morland, 2019).…”

Alone Together: Computer-Mediated Communication in Leisure Time During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…To avoid losing contact with other people and to fulfill social needs, the digital world opens new possibilities to keep in touch with friends and family members ( Saltzman et al, 2020 ). Without being in the same room and risking infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, CMC provides a safe way to spend time together with others.…”

A Resource Building Virtual Care Programme: improving symptoms and social functioning among female and male rural veterans

“…Notably, trauma-focused therapies provide relatively limited improvement in social functioning among Veterans (e.g. Bosch et al, 2020;Holliday, Williams, Bird, Mullen, & Surís, 2015;Monson et al, 2012;Schnurr et al, 2007; but see Monson et al, 2006). programmemes that provide direct attention to these problems may increase interest in and engagement into treatment as well as improve outcomes in social functioning.…”