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AbstractObjective: This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of dynamic relational group therapy (DRT) relative to group psychodynamic supportive therapy (PST) in improving perfectionism-related attitudes and components of the perfectionistic self-relationship. Method: Based on a comprehensive conceptualization of perfectionism, 80 community-recruited, highly perfectionistic individuals were randomly allocated to 12 sessions of group DRT (n = 41; 5 groups) or group PST (n = 39; 5 groups). Patients completed measures of dysfunctional attitudes, self-criticism, self-esteem, and self-reassurance at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, and six months post-treatment. Results: Multigroup latent growth curve modeling revealed significant (p < .05) decreases in dysfunctional attitudes, concern over mistakes, two types of self-criticism, and self-esteem problems, along with a significant increase in self-reassurance, from pre-treatment to six-month follow-up in both DRT and PST. Moderate-to-large between-group differences favoring DRT over PST were found for dysfunctional attitudes and self-reassurance. A majority of patients in both conditions maintained reliable improvement at six-month follow-up in dysfunctional attitudes, concern over mistakes, and self-criticism focused on inadequacy. Conclusion: Findings provide evidence for the use of psychodynamic group therapy approaches in treating perfectionism-related attitudes and self-relational elements of perfectionism, and support the relative efficacy of DRT for dysfunctional attitudes and self-reassurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brief transdiagnostic psychotherapy is a possible approach for emotional disorders in primary care. The objective of the present randomized controlled trial was to determine its effectiveness compared with the treatment as usual based on pharmacological interventions in patients with mild/moderate symptoms. In addition, emotional regulation strategies and cognitive factors were studied as potential predictors. Participants (N = 105) were assigned to brief group therapy based on the Unified Protocol (n = 53) or treatment as usual (n = 52). They were assessed before and after the interventions. Mean differences and stepwise regression analyses were performed. Brief group transdiagnostic psychotherapy was more effective than medication in reducing all clinical symptoms (p =.007 for generalized anxiety; p =.000 for somatization; p =.000 for panic disorder; and p =.041 for depression) and in modifying emotional regulation strategies and cognitive processes (p =.000 for cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, worry, rumination, and metacognition) with moderate/high effect sizes. Besides, it was found that these variables acted as predictors of the therapeutic change. It is concluded that brief therapies could be an accurate treatment for mild/moderate emotional disorders in primary care due to their cost-effective characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of group psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults directly compared to no treatment or active treatments examined in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Method: Electronic databases were searched for eligible studies. Effects on PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety were extracted. Between- and within-group effect sizes (Hedges' g) were calculated using a random-effects model. Data were adjusted to account for dependencies among observations in groups. Results: Twenty RCTs were included comprising 2244 individuals. Results showed significant effects of group psychotherapy in reducing symptoms of PTSD compared to no-treatment control groups (k = 13; g = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.41; 0.99). No significant differences in efficacy were found between group psychotherapy and other active treatments (k = 8; g = 0.13; 95% CI: −0.16; 0.42). Moderator analyses confirmed gender and trauma type as important moderators of within-treatment effects for PTSD. Conclusions: Group treatments are associated with improvements in symptoms of PTSD. Particularly, the efficacy of exposure-based cognitive-behavioral group therapy (group CBT) is empirically well demonstrated. Still little is known about the effects of group treatment approaches other than CBT and the comparative efficacy to alternative treatments such as individual therapy or pharmacotherapy. Clinical or Methodological Significance of this Article: This review provides an empirical base for group therapy as a viable treatment alternative for future PTSD practice guidelines. Although less is known about its comparative efficacy to alternative PTSD treatments such as individual therapy or pharmacotherapy, sufficient evidence exists to recommend group therapy (particularly exposure-based group CBT) for those who might not be able to access alternative treatments. Trauma type and gender proved to be important moderators of group treatment outcome. The results further indicate that the evidence base of recommendations for group therapy in current international treatment guidelines needs to be updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]