title: Integrative Intensive Retreats for Veteran Couples and Families: A Pilot Study Assessing Change in Relationship Adjustment, Posttraumatic Growth, and Trauma Symptoms.
abstract: We assessed a brief, systemic retreat-style intervention that was developed to address concerns about the utilization of services for veterans coping with traumatic stress. A total of 76 dyads (N = 152) were assessed before and after a 4-day retreat, which included psychoeducation, group and conjoint therapeutic sessions, and recreational relaxation components. Overall, participants reported a reduction in trauma symptoms, but only support persons experienced a significant increase in posttraumatic growth from pretest to posttest. Both veterans and their romantic partners reported an increase in relationship adjustment after the retreat. Opportunities to address the needs of this population by removing barriers to treatment and reducing feelings of isolation, as well as implications for similar treatments are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
authors.forename: J Kale
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Monk
authors.affiliation: Kansas State University.
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Oseland
authors.affiliation: Kansas State University.
authors.forename: Briana S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Nelson Goff
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Ogolsky
authors.affiliation: Kansas State University.
authors.forename: Kali
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Summers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult