Couple-based interventions for PTSD among military veterans: An empirical review.

OBJECTIVE

Treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a commonly sought mental health service among military service members and veterans (SM/Vs). Such treatment is typically individually-based, despite many SM/Vs reporting a desire for greater partner involvement in treatment. This review examined couple-based treatments for PTSD among SM/Vs and their romantic partners.

METHOD

A database search conducted in July, 2018 yielded 167 studies, of which 16 (10%) met inclusion criteria. Brief intervention summaries, effect sizes, and distress change scores (where applicable) are reported.

RESULTS

The 16 studies tested 7 interventions, which showed a reduction in self-rated and clinician-rated PTSD symptoms with large effect sizes observed in most studies. Relationship outcomes also improved for SM/Vs and their partners, with effect sizes ranging from small-to-medium for SM/Vs and small-to-large for partners.

CONCLUSIONS

Couple-based interventions show success in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving relationship outcomes, offering several alternatives to individual-based interventions among partnered SM/Vs.