Citation

Weissman N, Batten SV, Rheem KD, Wiebe SA, Pasillas RM, Potts W, Barone M, Brown CH, Dixon LB. J. Couple Relationsh. Ther. 2018; 17(1): 25-41.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15332691.2017.1285261

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The current study is a pilot project conducted at Baltimore VA Medical Center investigating the use of emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT) for couples in which one partner is a veteran who has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fifteen couples enrolled in the study and seven of these couples completed treatment (26 to 36 weekly sessions of EFT). Both partners were assessed on measures of relationship satisfaction, psychological distress, depression, and quality of life, and veterans were assessed on measures of PTSD symptoms at baseline and 2 weeks after the intervention. Paired t-tests were used to compare scores before and after EFT. In terms of results, the veterans' partners reported significant improvements in relationship and life satisfaction and in decreased depression and a decrease in psychological distress. Veterans demonstrated a significant decrease in self-reported symptoms of PTSD. These results provide preliminary evidence for the usefulness of EFT to help foster improved relationship satisfaction, and psychological well-being for veterans with PTSD and their partners who completed treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

Couples; emotionally focused therapy; posttraumatic stress disorder; veterans