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ViewAttendees 3

Symposia

Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders and Disasters

Scalable and accessible interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder

1 - (SYM 86) Increasing Access to PTSD Interventions and Expanding Their Benefits to Partners: Two Randomized Controlled Trials of an Online, Self-help Couples Intervention for PTSD

Saturday, November 16, 2024
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Location: Regency Ballroom B, Second Floor Mezzanine, Loews Hotel
Abstract Body

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exacerbates and is exacerbated by relationship dysfunction. To expand the potential benefits of PTSD treatment beyond the individual with the disorder, couple therapies have been developed that aim to improve PTSD, relationship functioning, and partner mental health. However, engagement in, and access to, these interventions is limited by geographic barriers, stigma, a lack of trained providers, and financial obstacles. To promote wide uptake of PTSD interventions, our team developed Couple HOPES (Helping Overcome PTSD and Enhance Satisfaction); an online, guided, self-help program for couples wherein one member has PTSD, adapted from evidence-based couple therapies for PTSD. A case series and uncontrolled trial provided preliminary support for the efficacy of Couple HOPES in reducing PTSD, but more testing is needed. We therefore present the results of two randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of Couple HOPES to a waitlist in two populations that are particularly affected by it: Military Members, Veterans, and First Responders (MMVFR RCT), and individuals with COVID-related PTSD (COVID RCT). In both RCTs, couples where one member had probable PTSD were randomized to receive Couple HOPES or to a waitlist, and completed measures of PTSD, relationship satisfaction and conflict, and a range of tertiary mental health outcomes. Couples randomized to Couple HOPES completed outcome measures at the beginning, middle, and end of Couple HOPES. Couples randomized to the waitlist completed measures at timepoints that mirrored the assessment schedule for the Couple HOPES condition, and were offered Couple HOPES after their final assessment. Participants completed follow-up outcome measures at one- and three-months after Couple HOPES. Data collection is complete as is data cleaning. Data analysis is underway for both of these RCTs, and results will be presented at the convention. Findings will illuminate whether Couple HOPES is an efficacious means of reducing PTSD and enhancing relationship functioning at scale for two groups who are particularly vulnerable to this condition. If results are supportive of the efficacy of Couple HOPES, then findings will illuminate a novel pathway of engaging communities on a broad scale in PTSD interventions, with possible effects that extend beyond the individual with the disorder to their partners. Such findings directly reflect this year’s convention theme as they involve innovating CBT to engage community members at scale.