title: The Role of Posttraumatic Growth in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD.
abstract: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is defined as a positive psychological change that can emerge following a traumatic life event. Although documented in noninterventional studies of traumatized individuals, there are scant data on the potential for therapy to induce or improve PTG. Thus, the primary goal of this study was to examine changes in PTG in a controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder versus waitlist (CBCT for PTSD; Monson & Fredman, 2012). We also examined whether pretreatment relationship satisfaction and PTSD symptomatology moderated change in PTG. There were 40 couples (75% with a female partner with PTSD) who were randomized to either immediate CBCT for PTSD or a 3-month waitlist (WL). Compared to WL, individuals who received treatment immediately demonstrated a significant increase in PTG. There was a moderate effect size between-group difference (Hedge's g = 0.45). There was a nonsignificant relationship with a moderate effect size (Hedge's g = 0.65) for the positive effect of pretreatment relationship satisfaction on the trajectory of PTG, but no effect of pretreatment PTSD symptoms. Results suggested that CBCT for PTSD facilitated PTG, even with a limited focus on PTG in this conjoint intervention. Future research should target PTG as a treatment goal and further examine the role of close others in facilitating development of PTG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torbit
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jenzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Meredith S H
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Landy
authors.affiliation: Trauma Recovery Center, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Pukay-Martin
authors.affiliation: The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Steffany J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fredman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Candice M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Monson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology