Effectiveness of a rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)-informed group for post-9/11 Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

ABSTRACT

Various treatments aimed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been developed for Veterans, but many are not formatted for use in groups, do not address common psychiatric comorbidities, and include inherent barriers (e.g., substantial time commitment). This program evaluation study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a five-session treatment, a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)-Informed Group focused on changing irrational beliefs to address comorbid depression and anxiety (as well as anger and guilt) among post-9/11 Veterans with PTSD. Participants (n = 47) completing the REBT-Informed Group demonstrated significant reductions at posttreatment in depression and PTSD symptoms. Compared to Veterans in a ten-session treatment-as-usual group (n = 47), there was no significant difference in PTSD symptom improvement despite the reduction in number of sessions. The study demonstrates that a five-week group treatment for PTSD comorbid with depression or anxiety in post-9/11 Veterans – a therapy that may be uniquely suited to a military or Veteran population, but potentially generalizable to civilians as well – can lead to significant reductions in depression and PTSD symptoms. Future directions include development of a manual for dissemination and replication of findings of the REBT-Informed Group to other military or Veterans Affairs medical centers.

KEYWORDS:

• PTSD
• depression
• REBT
• treatment
• Veteran

Acknowledgments

We want to thank many people who contributed to this research in some way: Mary Bradshaw; Lisseth Calvio; Tom Campbell; Lisa Clevinger; Scott McDonald; Dena Pastor; Treven Pickett; Sarah Raymond; and anonymous reviewers whose insights and suggestions greatly improved the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

We have no financial, relationship, or any other conflict of interest related to this research.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Kurtz was and Dr. Scott is supported by the Office of Academic Affiliations, Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment, Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Kurtz is now affiliated with the VA St. Louis Health Care System. Dr. Sheerin is supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), grant number K01 AA025692. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Richmond, VA, and the VA St. Louis Health Care System, St. Louis, MO. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government.