ABSTRACT

This study examined the clinical effects of a brief group experiential therapy treatment centered on psychodrama in a sample of military veterans. The sample (N = 72) comprised male (n = 54) and female (n = 18) United States military veterans (M_age = 44.19, SD_age = 12.51) who completed the six-day treatment. Self-reported military-related posttraumatic stress (M-PTSD), anxiety, depression, and quality of life were assessed at baseline (T0), end of treatment (T1), three-month follow-up (T2), and six-month follow-up (T3). Prior combat exposure was also measured at T0, and acceptability and user satisfaction ratings were reported at T1. Within-subjects changes on all outcomes from T0 to T1, T2, and T3 were medium to large in effect size. After controlling for relevant demographic characteristics, prior combat exposure, and baseline multimorbidity, the results revealed significant improvements in clinical symptoms and quality of life from T0 to T1, T2, and T3. A majority of the participants who met criteria for M-PTSD, anxiety, or depression caseness at T0 attained recovery status at T1, T2, and T3. Acceptability and satisfaction ratings were high. The findings offer preliminary evidence supporting the efficacy of the group experiential treatment in sustaining reduced psychological symptoms and improving the quality of life of military veterans.

摘要

这项研究检查了以退伍军人精神为样本的一组简短的体验式治疗方法在临床退伍军人中的临床效果。样本（N = 72）包括男性（n = 54）和女性（n = 18）美国退伍军人（M_年龄 = 44.19，SD_年龄 = 12.51）谁完成了为期六天的治疗。在基线（T0），治疗结束（T1），三个月的随访（T2）和六个月后评估自我报告的与军事相关的创伤后压力（M-PTSD），焦虑，抑郁和生活质量一个月的随访（T3）。还在T0测量了先前的战斗暴露，并在T1报告了可接受性和用户满意度等级。从T0到T1，T2和T3的所有结局受试者内部变化的影响大小为中到大。在控制了相关的人口统计学特征，先前的战役暴露和基准的多发病率之后，结果显示从T0到T1，T2和T3，临床症状和生活质量得到了显着改善。在T0满足M-PTSD，焦虑或抑郁情况的大多数参与者在T1，T2和T3达到恢复状态。可接受性和满意度等级很高。这些发现提供了初步的证据，支持团体体验式治疗在减轻心理症状和改善退伍军人生活质量方面的功效。