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Processes of Change in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youths: An Approach Informed by Emotional Processing Theory

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines processes of change in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) delivered to a community sample of 81 youth. Emotional processing theory (EPT) is used as an organizational framework. EPT highlights activating and changing pathological trauma-related responses and increasing adaptive responses across cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological domains. We coded sessions during the trauma processing phase of TF-CBT to examine the extent to which pathological and adaptive trauma-related responses were activated across domains. Higher scores indicate that more domains (0-4) were activated at a threshold of moderate to high intensity. Curvilinear change (inverted U, increase then decrease) in multimodal negative response scores across sessions predicted improvement in internalizing and PTSD symptoms at posttreatment. Linear increases in multimodal positive responses predicted improvement in externalizing symptoms. Findings suggest value in activating and changing both pathological and adaptive trauma responses across multiple domains and examining nonlinear patterns of change.

Source: Clinical Psychological Science

DOI: 10.1177/2167702620957315

Authors: Elizabeth Alpert, Adele M. Hayes, Carly Yasinski, Charles Webb, Esther Deblinger

Institutions: University of Delaware, Emory University, Rowan University

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Institute of Mental Health