Date of Award

4-2019

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jane Stafford

Second Advisor

Meredith Elzy

Third Advisor

Alexandra E. Roach

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study is to expand existing literature on specific patient demographics and treatment protocols for trauma-related psychotherapies that moderate treatment outcomes in real-world clinical settings with military personnel.

Method: The present study used medical records to analyze treatment outcomes of patients seen at an army medical hospital in the Southeastern United States. The data was gathered over a 6-month timeframe, and participants were predominantly active duty Army personnel being treated for PTSD or other trauma-related disorders. Demographic variables were examined as predictors or moderators and hypotheses were put forward regarding the relationship of the characteristics with treatment outcomes. Measures included the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale-24 (BASIS-24). Providers used both evidence-based as well as non-evidence-based treatments (i.e., EBT, non-EBT), and moderation analyses were performed to examine the association between these treatments and therapy outcomes.

Results: PCL-5 results showed the relationship between pre- and post-treatment scores were not moderated by patient demographics or treatments provided. BASIS-24 results showed that of the demographics and treatment protocols analyzed, only gender moderated the relationship between pre- to post-treatment scores. Age was a significant predictor of the number of sessions patients attended. Reliable change calculations showed 85% of patient PCL-5 scores and 93% of patient BASIS-24 scores reflected unsuccessful treatment outcomes.

Conclusion: In general, patients were not provided with EBTs and they did not benefit from the treatment they did receive. Future studies focused on the issue of ineffective treatments would be useful to providers, clinic and hospitals administrators, and most importantly- our patients.

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