Disclosure of traumatic experiences, dissociation, and anxiety in group therapy for posttraumatic stress

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, dissociation with self-disclosure among 72 male military veterans with PTSD who were attending an eight-week group therapy treatment program. At intake to the program, participants were administered a baseline demographics questionnaire, the Clinicians Administered PTSD Scale, a dissociation measure, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants completed the dissociation measure and the HADS again at discharge from the program and at a follow-up three months later. We found that the frequency and severity of dissociation reported by participants decreased over time. It was also found that high self-disclosers had higher levels of dissociation when compared to low self-disclosers at baseline and program end, but showed a greater decline in levels of dissociation at three-month follow-up. It was also found that, regardless of the level of disclosure, anxiety levels at follow-up were significantly lower than baseline levels of anxiety.

Keywords:

• PTSD
• stress
• disclosure
• group therapy
• anxiety