TY - JOUR
T1 - A home-based telehealth randomized controlled trial of skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation versus present-centered therapy for women veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma.
AU - Cloitre, Marylene
AU - Morabito, Danielle
AU - Macia, Kathryn
AU - Speicher, Sarah
AU - Froelich, Jessilyn
AU - Webster, Katelyn
AU - Prins, Annabel
AU - Villasenor, Diana
AU - Bauer, Asha
AU - Jackson, Christie
AU - Fabricant, Laura
AU - Wiltsey-Stirman, Shannon
AU - Morland, Leslie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, (American Psychological Association). All Rights Reserved.
PY - 2024/1/15
Y1 - 2024/1/15
N2 - Objective: This randomized trial tested the effectiveness of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) compared to present-centered therapy (PCT) delivered virtually to women veterans who had experienced military sexual trauma (MST) and screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: One hundred sixty-one eligible women veterans were randomized into the study. The primary outcome was clinician-assessed PTSD severity (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale–5), while secondary outcomes included social support and several other symptom measures at posttreatment through 2- and 4-month follow-up. Results: PTSD severity decreased in both conditions by posttreatment but significantly more (p = .028, d = 0.39) in STAIR (d = 1.12 [0.87, 1.37]) than PCT (d = .78 [0.54, 1.02]). STAIR was also superior in improving social support and emotion regulation and reducing depression and negative cognitions. Improvement in psychosocial functioning was moderate and did not differ between conditions. All changes were maintained through 2- and 4-month follow-ups. Dropout rates were low and did not differ (19.0% and 12.2%, respectively). Conclusion: STAIR provided superior outcomes compared to PCT regarding PTSD, social support, and multiple types of mental health problems among women veterans with MST. The application of STAIR to other populations with social support and related concerns warrants investigation. The substantial effect sizes for PTSD symptoms in both treatments suggest that they are practical alternatives for individuals who do not wish to participate in trauma-focused therapy and may increase engagement in mental health services. Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), a transdiagnostic intervention, provides effective relief from a range of social–emotional difficulties that have been identified by women who have experienced military sexual trauma. The availability of evidence-based mental health programs that address patient-identified concerns other than diagnostic-specific symptoms is an important and integral component to mental health services for trauma-exposed populations.
AB - Objective: This randomized trial tested the effectiveness of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) compared to present-centered therapy (PCT) delivered virtually to women veterans who had experienced military sexual trauma (MST) and screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: One hundred sixty-one eligible women veterans were randomized into the study. The primary outcome was clinician-assessed PTSD severity (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale–5), while secondary outcomes included social support and several other symptom measures at posttreatment through 2- and 4-month follow-up. Results: PTSD severity decreased in both conditions by posttreatment but significantly more (p = .028, d = 0.39) in STAIR (d = 1.12 [0.87, 1.37]) than PCT (d = .78 [0.54, 1.02]). STAIR was also superior in improving social support and emotion regulation and reducing depression and negative cognitions. Improvement in psychosocial functioning was moderate and did not differ between conditions. All changes were maintained through 2- and 4-month follow-ups. Dropout rates were low and did not differ (19.0% and 12.2%, respectively). Conclusion: STAIR provided superior outcomes compared to PCT regarding PTSD, social support, and multiple types of mental health problems among women veterans with MST. The application of STAIR to other populations with social support and related concerns warrants investigation. The substantial effect sizes for PTSD symptoms in both treatments suggest that they are practical alternatives for individuals who do not wish to participate in trauma-focused therapy and may increase engagement in mental health services. Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR), a transdiagnostic intervention, provides effective relief from a range of social–emotional difficulties that have been identified by women who have experienced military sexual trauma. The availability of evidence-based mental health programs that address patient-identified concerns other than diagnostic-specific symptoms is an important and integral component to mental health services for trauma-exposed populations.
KW - military sexual trauma
KW - posttraumatic stress disorder
KW - present-centered therapy
KW - Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation
KW - social support
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U2 - 10.1037/ccp0000872
DO - 10.1037/ccp0000872
M3 - Article
C2 - 38227462
AN - SCOPUS:85188507331
SN - 0022-006X
VL - 92
SP - 261
EP - 274
JO - Journal of consulting and clinical psychology
JF - Journal of consulting and clinical psychology
IS - 5
ER -