Work

Improving voluntary engagement for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment among active-duty service members using motivational enhancement therapy.

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence in the military is high and effective treatments are underutilized. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) "check-ups" are brief interventions to elicit treatment uptake for those who are nontreatment seeking. The aim of the current study was to test the efficacy of a novel MET intervention designed to promote treatment engagement among active-duty U.S. military personnel with untreated PTSD. METHOD: = 79) were mailed PTSD resources and referrals. Follow-up assessments were conducted 6-week, 3- and 6-month postbaseline. RESULTS: Mixed effect model results indicated treatment uptake significantly increased over time but there were no significant differences between conditions or interactions. PTSD symptom severity significantly decreased for both conditions. There was also a significant three-way interaction with baseline readiness-to-change confidence. Those low in baseline readiness-to-change saw more favorable effects of MET (relative to TAU) at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest both MET and high-quality referral options have promise as a means of increasing evidence-based treatment uptake and decreasing PTSD for service members with PTSD. MET may be particularly useful for individuals with low confidence in their ability to address PTSD. Given the individual and societal costs of PTSD, there is a need for interventions facilitating treatment uptake. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy

DOI: 10.1037/tra0001562

Authors: Denise D. Walker, Thomas O. Walton, Anna E. Jaffe, Scott Graupensperger, Isaac C. Rhew, Debra Kaysen

Institutions: University of Washington, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Stanford Medicine, Stanford 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: hybrid