title: Compassion-Based Therapy for Trauma-Related Shame and Posttraumatic Stress: Initial Evaluation Using a Multiple Baseline Design.
abstract: Accumulating research suggests that shame can strongly contribute to the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Interventions that promote self-compassion have shown promise for reducing shame related to various clinical problems, but this approach has not been systematically evaluated for traumatized individuals. The aim of this study was to develop a brief compassion-based therapy and assess its efficacy for reducing trauma-related shame and PTSD symptoms. Using a multiple baseline experimental design, the intervention was evaluated in a community sample of trauma-exposed adults (N=10) with elevated trauma-related shame and PTSD symptoms. Participants completed weekly assessments during a 2-, 4-, or 6-week baseline phase and a 6-week treatment phase, and at 2 and 4weeks after the intervention. By the end of treatment, 9 of 10 participants demonstrated reliable decreases in PTSD symptom severity, while 8 of 10 participants showed reliable reductions in shame. These improvements were maintained at 2- and 4-week follow-up. The intervention was also associated with improvements in self-compassion and self-blame. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. Results suggest that the intervention may be useful as either a stand-alone treatment or as a supplement to other treatments.
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University VA Boston Healthcare System. Electronic address: tau@bu.edu.
authors.forename: Teresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sauer-Zavala
authors.affiliation: VA Boston Healthcare System Boston University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University John Cabot University.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrocchi
authors.affiliation: Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.affiliation: VA Boston Healthcare System Boston University School of Medicine Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiological Research and Information Center.
authors.forename: Brett T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Litz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D012752:Shame; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: compassion; posttraumatic stress disorder; shame; single-case experimental design; trauma