ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Written exposure therapy (WET) is a brief treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with an increasing number of studies published over the past several years. The current study conducted a systematic review to evaluate the current state of evidence for WET as a treatment for PTSD symptom severity. METHOD: Four databases were searched: PsycInfo, PTSDpubs, MEDLINE, and PubMed. Inclusion criteria included a peer-reviewed study of WET, a PTSD treatment outcome measure at pre- and posttreatment, and full-text available in English. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were identified for inclusion, seven of which were randomized controlled trials. Study sample sizes ranged from three to 277, with most studies (88%) examining adults. Five studies used a language translation version of WET, two studies examined a group format, and three studies examined PTSD symptom outcome when WET was delivered via telehealth. Within condition effect sizes for PTSD treatment outcome were moderate to large (d range = 0.48-6.45), and between condition effect sizes were large (d range = 1.05-5.25), except for three studies that included a trauma-focused treatment comparison condition (d range = 0.01-0.31). Dropout rates for WET were generally low, and less when compared with other trauma-focused treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The published studies indicate that WET is an efficacious and effective treatment for PTSD symptoms across a variety of samples, settings, and counties. Future work in this area should include investigation of the implementation and dissemination of WET. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE: Historically, psychology trainees from marginalized communities have been underrepresented both as researchers and as participants in research on trainee experiences and outcomes. The current research can be used to develop evidence-based strategies to understand and improve the recruitment, retention, advancement, and overall training experiences of trainees with marginalized identities. METHOD: We review the existing literature on the experiences of psychology trainees, particularly that focused on trainees from marginalized backgrounds. RESULTS: Quantitative, qualitative, and archival data collection and analysis methods each carry their own benefits and limitations, which must be considered and addressed intentionally to optimize the impact of research findings for multiply marginalized individuals. Mixed methods approaches are also discussed. Matching each limitation with a research design strategy is recommended, including the use of sample weights from population archival data to contextualize sample results, incorporating flexibility for reasonable accommodations for intensive qualitative studies, and other strategies. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: We provide guidance on selecting a methodology based on specific research and dissemination goals within this area and discuss implications and recommendations for both rehabilitation psychology specifically and the field more broadly. Training programs, governing bodies, faculty, researchers, and other invested parties have shared accountability to deliver diverse, equitable, and inclusive education and training experiences, and conducting high-quality research on the experiences of multiply marginalized trainees, including those with disabilities, is a key component of that process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
ABSTRACT
Objective: Most college students have experienced an adverse event in their lifetime, yet help-seeking rates remain low. This study seeks to understand psychological factors that might contribute to delays in treatment initiation among trauma-affected students. Participants: Our sample consisted of 531 undergraduate students of which 27% scored above the clinical cutoff for PTSD using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Methods: This cross-sectional study explored relationships among help-seeking attitudes, emotion dysregulation, and PTSD symptoms using structural equation modeling. Results: Findings demonstrated that individuals with more severe emotion dysregulation had more severe PTSD symptoms and held more negative attitudes toward seeking help. Conclusions: Individuals who are the most in need of treatment hold attitudes that may impede help-seeking. We discuss clinical implications and ways college counseling centers can maximize outreach and programming efforts to increase treatment initiation and engagement.
