Predictors of change in cognitive processing therapy for veterans in a residential PTSD treatment program

• Published in: Journal of clinical psychology Vol. 75; no. 3; pp. 364 - 379
• Main Authors: Hale, Andrew C., Rodriguez, Jessica L., Wright, Theodore P., Driesenga, Scott A., Spates, C. Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Periodicals Inc 01.03.2019
• Subjects: cognitive processing therapy; Post traumatic stress disorder; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); trauma; treatment outcome; veterans; trauma; veterans; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); cognitive processing therapy; treatment outcome
• ISSN: 0021-9762; 1097-4679
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22711

Objective Cognitive processing therapy is an evidence‐based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, questions remain regarding variability in treatment response. Method A total of 123 veterans participated in group‐based cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in residential PTSD treatment. Change over time in PTSD symptoms was modeled as a function of selected demographic and clinical variables. Results PTSD checklist (PCL) scores decreased by an average of 1 point per session (standard deviation [SD] = 0.1). Initial PCL scores were predicted by the Beck Depression Inventory‐II (γ01 = 0.25; standard error [SE] = 0.08), Insomnia Severity Index (γ02 = 0.53; SE = 0.15), and Infrequency (F) scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 (γ03 = 0.09; SE = 0.04). Rate of change was predicted by the Somatic Complaints (RC1) scale (γ11 = −0.03; SE = 0.01) and the Antisocial Behavior (RC4) scale (γ12 = 0.02; SE = 0.01). Conclusions These results provide insight into characteristics that may influence degree of benefit received from group‐based CPT.