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Copyright of Family Process is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Although there has been research connecting PTSD and social support, there has been little research on effects of treatment, especially in military samples. The current study examined the relationship between these variables over the course of PTSD treatment and assessed differences based on treatment modality (i.e. group versus individual). Methods: Participants were 322 active duty service members in a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of group and individual Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) treatment modalities and were assessed for PTSD symptoms and social support both prior to and upon completion treatment. Cross-lagged regression models were used to examine stability and lagged effects between PTSD severity and dimensions of social support from pre- to post-treatment. Results: Lower levels of pre-treatment PTSD severity were associated with higher levels of post-treatment social support across all three subscales (all b 's at least -.15, p <.02). The only significant difference based on treatment modality was a stronger relationship between pre- and post-treatment PTSD severity for those who received group CPT compared to participants who received individual CPT, consistent with previous findings. Conclusions: Recommendations for improving social support during PTSD treatment through modalities, such as family-centered models or social skills training, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sexual functioning of Alzheimer's patients has been neglected in the literature. One of the few references discusses male erectile failure, but no other sexual concerns have been addressed. It is assumed that the cognitive changes experienced by Alzheimer's patients affect their sexual functioning. Loss of memory and agitation, social avoidance, fearfulness, and aggression, all characteristics of Alzheimer's patients, are not conducive to intimacy. Caregivers who are also spouses of the patient are under a great deal of stress as a result of these behaviors, but little is known about their sexual concerns. The first step to a further understanding of this phenomena is to acknowledge in the literature that the problem exists. An illustrative case study is presented of the sexual concerns of a spouse of a patient with Alzheimer's disease. It is likely that many spouses are reluctant to report sexual difficulties, often because sexuality is a prohibited subject for many elderly couples. Spouses may fear appearing selfish if they raise such concerns. Also, sexual behaviors may need to be altered in the face of illness, which may not be easy for more traditional or more conservative people. Dementia may also make concentration on sexual activity impossible, or the patient may no longer be sexually attractive to the partner. Professionals need to be trained and caregivers need to be educated in this area. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual assault is a prevalent trauma associated with high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social cognitive theories posit that behavioral self-blame (i.e., attributing the cause of the assault to personal peri-event behavior) contributes to the etiology and maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Yet the direction of the association between self-blame and PTSD symptoms in the acute aftermath of sexual assault is unknown. This study evaluated temporal pathways between behavioral self-blame and PTSD symptom severity in an epidemiological sample of sexual assault survivors (n = 126) assessed at four time points in the months immediately following the assault. Results of cross-lagged panel modeling revealed that reports of behavioral self-blame at the first assessment following sexual assault predicted PTSD symptom severity at Time 2. However, there was no association between behavioral self-blame at Time 2 and PTSD symptom severity at Time 3, nor was there an association between behavioral self-blame at Time 3 and PTSD symptom severity at Time 4. Instead, PTSD symptom severity predicted behavioral self-blame at Times 3 and 4. Findings suggest that behavioral self-blame following sexual assault may be particularly relevant to the onset of PTSD symptoms, while PTSD symptoms themselves appear to intensify subsequent perceptions of behavioral self-blame. Clinical implications and limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was a secondary data analysis of clinical trial data collected from 268 active duty U.S. military service members seeking cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Fort Hood, Texas, related to combat operations following September 11, 2001. Our primary aim was to evaluate changes in PTSD symptom severity and alcohol misuse as a function of baseline hazardous drinking and treatment format (i.e., group or individual). At baseline and posttreatment, PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale–Interview Version and PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5. Hazardous drinking was categorically defined as an Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test total score of 8 or higher. Employing intent‐to‐treat, mixed‐effects regression analysis, all groups reported reduced PTSD symptom severity, Hedges' gs = −0.33 to −1.01, except, unexpectedly, nonhazardous drinkers who were randomized to group CPT, Hedges' g = −0.12. Hazardous drinkers who were randomized to individual therapy had larger reductions in PTSD symptoms than nonhazardous drinkers who were randomized to group CPT, Hedges' g = −0.25. Hazardous drinkers also reported significant reductions in alcohol misuse, regardless of treatment format, Hedges' gs = −0.78 to −0.86. This study builds upon an emerging literature suggesting that individuals with PTSD and co‐occurring alcohol use disorder can engage successfully in CPT, which appears to be an appropriate treatment for these individuals whether it is delivered individually or in a group format. However, as a portion of participants remained classified as hazardous drinkers at posttreatment, some individuals may benefit from integrated treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine whether treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reduces anger and aggression and if changes in PTSD symptoms are associated with changes in anger and aggression. Method: Active duty service members (n = 374) seeking PTSD treatment in two randomized clinical trials completed a pretreatment assessment, 12 treatment sessions, and a posttreatment assessment. Outcomes included the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale and state anger subscale of the State‐Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Results: Treatment groups were analyzed together. There were small to moderate pretreatment to posttreatment reductions in anger (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.25), psychological aggression (SMD = −0.43), and physical aggression (SMD = −0.25). The majority of participants continued to endorse anger and aggression at posttreatment. Changes in PTSD symptoms were mildly to moderately associated with changes in anger and aggression. Conclusions: PTSD treatments reduced anger and aggression with effects similar to anger and aggression treatments; innovative psychotherapies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Traumatic Stress is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)