EFFICACY OF PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL GROUP-THERAPY IN REDUCING SYMPTOMS OF POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AMONG MULTIPLY TRAUMATIZED WOMEN

Objective: The role of group therapy in treatment of posttraumatic str ess disorder (PTSD) has been traditionally restricted to issues of sel f-esteem and interpersonal relationships, rather than primary symptoms of the disorder. In this study, the authors examined the effectivenes s of a 16-week trauma-focused, cognitive-behavioral group therapy, nam ed interactive Psychoeducational Group Therapy, in reducing primary sy mptoms of PTSD in five groups (N=29) of multiply traumatized women dia gnosed with chronic PTSD, Method: The authors made assessments at base line, at 1-month intervals during treatment, at termination, and at 6- month follow-up by using self-report and structured interview measures of PTSD and psychiatric symptoms. The absence of a control group limi ts the conclusions drawn from the study. Results: At termination, subj ects showed significant reductions in all three clusters of PTSD sympt oms (i.e,, reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal) and in depress ive symptoms; they showed near-significant reductions in general psych iatric and dissociative symptoms, at termination. These improvements w ere sustained at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: The role of group the rapy in PTSD treatment should not be prematurely restricted to address ing self-esteem and interpersonal dimensions only. The use of structur ed, cognitive-behavioral elements within the group format may allow fo r more targeted treatment of core symptoms of the disorder.