title: Behavioral activation and therapeutic exposure for bereavement in older adults.
abstract: The development and clinical trial of a 5-session behavioral intervention for complicated bereavement (CB) is presented. We conceptualized CB in terms of Major Depression (MDD) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and consequently applied treatment components of Behavioral Activation and Therapeutic Exposure (BA-TE). In order to assure standardization of treatment, control costs, and engage patients, a multi-media, multi-context format was adopted to address avoidance and withdrawal behaviors conceptualized as central pathogenic responses in CB. Participants (N = 26) were assessed before and after BA-TE treatment via structured clinical interview and standardized questionnaires in terms of PTSD, MDD, CB, and health concerns. The number of days since the death of the loved one was widely variable and served as a covariate for all outcome analyses. ANCOVAS revealed statistically significant improvement, irrespective of how many days since death had elapsed prior to initiation of intervention, on structured interviews and self-report measures for most outcome variables.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425, USA. acierno@musc.edu
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Acierno
authors.forename: Alyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rheingold
authors.forename: Ananda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amstadter
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kurent
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amella
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Resnick
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Muzzy
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lejuez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001601:Bereavement; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors