1. Prospective associations between changes in mental health symptoms and health-related quality of life in veterans seeking posttraumatic stress disorder residential treatment.
- Author
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Sofko CA, Currier JM, and Drescher KD
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders psychology, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Veterans statistics & numerical data, Quality of Life psychology, Residential Treatment methods, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic psychology, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic therapy, Veterans psychology
- Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study examined prospective associations between changes in mental health symptoms (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression) and health-related quality of life (physical health, psychological well-being) for veterans with PTSD., Design: This study focused on 139 patients who completed a residential treatment program for PTSD in the Veterans Health Administration., Methods: Patients completed the veteran-specific, 12-item Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, PTSD Checklist - Military version, and Beck Depression Inventory at pre-treatment, discharge, and a four-month follow-up. When accounting for demographic factors, combat exposure, and baseline scores on the respective outcome variables (e.g. mental health, physical health, PTSD, and depressive symptoms), a series of multivariate analyses were conducted for treatment-related changes in mental and physical health on the outcome measures., Results: Reductions in PTSD symptomatology during the treatment period were prospectively linked with better health-related outcomes at the four-month follow-up. In addition, improved physical health and psychological well-being during treatment were each similarly associated with better PTSD and depression outcomes in the months following treatment., Conclusions: Addressing concerns in mental and physical health might have synergistic effects across both domains, supporting the need for holistic models and integrated health care strategies for treating veterans with PTSD.
- Published
- 2016
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