Patient experiences and reported effectiveness of a multimodal short-term pilot therapy group for veteran men with military sexual trauma

Jonathan Yahalom, Brandon C. Yarns, Kimberly Clair, Marylene Cloitre, Ariel J. Lang, Alison B. Hamilton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Despite recognition of its prevalence and impact, little is known about treatment for veteran men with a history of military sexual trauma (MST). While research suggests that such veterans may suffer from gender-based distress that poses unique treatment challenges, MST-focused treatment draws upon contemporary PTSD best practices that may overlook gender. The current initial pilot study evaluated a multimodal, time-limited men's MST group therapy that integrated exposure- and mindfulness-based, psychoeducational, and psychodynamic group interventions. Method: This study examined pre- and posttreatment data from patients who completed group treatment (n = 24). Three-fourths of patients were 60 years or older, over 80% Black, Indigenous, People of Color. Assessment data were collected using the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5), an adaptation of the Recovery Assessment Scale, and open-ended written responses. Paired-samples t tests and effect sizes (Hedge's g) were calculated. Indictive thematic analysis was used for qualitative analysis. Results: Qualitative and quantitative data showed improvements in shame, self-forgiveness, and belonginess. There were significant reductions from pre- to posttreatment in total PCL-5 score (g = −0.69) and all 4 symptom clusters (g = −0.51–−0.71), and significant improvements in 8 out of 10 recovery items (g = 0.44–2.46). Conclusions: More research is needed to assess whether veteran men with a history of MST benefit from treatment that provides multimodal, multitheoretical interventions that address gender-based symptoms in addition to PTSD. The results of this study support future research in a randomized controlled study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2410-2426
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology
Volume78
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • group therapy
  • military sexual trauma
  • psychodynamic
  • shame
  • veteran men

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology

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