title: A Preliminary Examination of the Effects of Pretreatment Relationship Satisfaction on Treatment Outcomes in Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary goal of the present study was to investigate whether pre-treatment relationship satisfaction predicted treatment drop-out and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom outcomes within a trial of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for PTSD (Monson & Fredman, 2012). Additionally, we examined the influence of pre-treatment relationship distress on relationship outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven patients and their intimate partners who participated in a course of CBCT for PTSD were assessed for PTSD symptoms with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale and PTSD Checklist, and for intimate relationship functioning with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. CBCT for PTSD is a conjoint therapy designed to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance relationship functioning. Patients had to meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD to be included in the study; however, couples were not required to be in distressed relationships to receive treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neither patients' nor partners' pre-treatment relationship satisfaction, nor their interaction, predicted treatment drop-out (ORs = .97-1.01) or completing patients' post-treatment PTSD symptom severity (sr2≤ .03). However, participants who were in distressed relationships prior to treatment made greater gains in relationship satisfaction compared with those who began treatment in more satisfied relationships (g= 1.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients receiving CBCT for PTSD, treatment drop-out and improvements in PTSD symptoms may be independent of pre-treatment relationship functioning, whereas improvements in relational functioning may be greater among those distressed prior to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shnaider
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: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Shankari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jenzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Steffany J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fredman
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Sciences Division, U.S. VA National Center for PTSD, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Candice M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Monson
keywords: Posttraumatic stress disorder; cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy; couple therapy; relationship satisfaction