PROCESS AND CONTENT IN A LONG-TERM PTSD THERAPY GROUP FOR VIETNAM VETERANS

Process and content were studied in four 16-session segments of a psyc hodynamically oriented therapy group for Vietnam veterans suffering fr om post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On the Group Climate Questio nnaire (GCQ-S), the group scored significantly higher in the Engaged d imension and significantly lower in the Avoiding and Conflict dimensio ns than contrasting samples of neurotic and psychotic groups. There wa s no evidence of group stages. Topics related to symptoms of PTSD were discussed most frequently (43.1%), followed by issues concerning rela tions with others (32.4%), general group therapy issues (13.7%), and o ther topics (10.8%). Clinical implications of these findings are discu ssed.