A pilot randomized effectiveness trial of the unified protocol in trauma-exposed veterans.

Background: The unified protocol (UP) is a promising transdisgnostic treatment for emotional disorders; limited data exists with trauma-exposed populations. This study compared effectiveness of the UP, presented centered therapy (PCT), and treatment as usual (TAU) in trauma-exposed veterans presenting to routine care.

Method: Trauma-exposed veterans with one or more emotional disorder diagnoses participated in a pilot hybrid-1 effectiveness/preimplementation study.

Problematic driving in former service members: An evaluation of the Driving Behavior Survey in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Despite high levels of traffic-related mortality, injury, and impairment among former service members, measures validated to assess problematic driving in this population remain limited. The current study examined characteristics of the Driving Behavior Survey (DBS) in male veterans (76.3% White; age: M = 56.

Alliance across group treatment for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: The role of interpersonal trauma and treatment type.

Objective: Examine initial levels and pattern of change of alliance in group treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for veterans.

Method: One hundred and seventy-eight male veterans with PTSD were recruited for this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) or to group present-centered therapy (GPCT).

Validation of the use of video teleconferencing technology in the assessment of PTSD.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has promoted the use of telehealth technologies to deliver mental health care to veterans with limited access to services on account of geographic and other barriers. The use of technology to deliver interventions to veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been a particular focus within VHA. Much less attention has been paid to the use of telehealth technologies to diagnose veterans with PTSD for both treatment and/or disability compensation purposes, in spite of the need for such services.

Eating disorder symptoms and comorbid psychopathology among male and female veterans.

Objective: Eating disorder (ED) symptoms have gone mostly unexamined among veterans. The current study assessed rates of bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) symptoms and diagnoses and their associations with common comorbidities among male and female veterans.

Method: Participants were US military veterans who screened positive for trauma histories and/or a probable Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis (n=499).

The driving behavior survey as a measure of behavioral stress responses to MVA-related PTSD.

Numerous treatments are available that address the core symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there are a number of related behavioral stress responses that are not assessed with PTSD measures, yet these behavioral stress responses affect quality of life. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether a recently developed measure of behavioral stress response, the Driving Behavior Survey (DBS), was sensitive to change associated with treatment among a group of participants diagnosed with PTSD.

The Driving Behavior Survey as a measure of behavioral stress responses to MVA-related PTSD.

Numerous treatments are available that address the core symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there are a number of related behavioral stress responses that are not assessed with PTSD measures, yet these behavioral stress responses affect quality of life. The goal of the current study was to investigate whether a recently developed measure of behavioral stress response, the Driving Behavior Survey (DBS), was sensitive to change associated with treatment among a group of participants diagnosed with PTSD.

Properties of the Driving Behavior Survey among individuals with motor vehicle accident-related posttraumatic stress disorder.

Data suggest anxious drivers may engage in problematic behaviors that place themselves and others at increased risk of negative traffic events. Three domains of problematic behavior--exaggerated safety/caution, performance deficits, and hostile/aggressive behaviors--previously were identified during development of the Driving Behavior Survey (DBS), a novel measure of anxiety-related behavior. Extending this research, the current study examined the psychometric properties of DBS scores among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subsequent to motor vehicle trauma (N=40).

Written exposure therapy for veterans diagnosed with PTSD: a pilot study.

There is a need to identify alternative treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially among veterans where PTSD tends to be more difficult to treat and dropout rates are especially high. One potential alternative is written exposure therapy, a brief intervention shown to treat PTSD among civilians effectively. This study investigated the feasibility and tolerability of written exposure therapy in an uncontrolled trial with a sample of 7 male veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

Predictors of intimate partner violence revictimization: the relative impact of distinct PTSD symptoms, dissociation, and coping strategies.

Psychological distress and coping strategies following intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization may impact survivors' risk for future IPV. The current study prospectively examined the impact of distinct posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters (reexperiencing, avoidance, numbing, and hyperarousal), dissociation, and coping strategies (engagement and disengagement coping) on IPV revictimization among recently abused women. Women (N = 69) who were seeking services for IPV and experienced their most recent episode of physical IPV between 2 weeks and 6 months prior to study enrollment completed measures of physical IPV, psychological distress, and coping strategies at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.