Date of Award
12-2002
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. C. Richard Spates
Second Advisor
Dr. Galen Alessi
Third Advisor
Dr. Lester Wright
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Rita Kenyon-Jump
Abstract
The comorbidity of depression and PTSD has been shown to be relatively prevalent. Researchers have found a 70% lifetime prevalence o f comorbid PTSD and depression among combat veterans. This study examined the effectiveness of a behavioral activation (BA) group treatment when administered to combat veterans with comorbid depression and PTSD in the residential treatment program at the Battle Creek Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Forty-five veterans participated in the study. Twenty-four veterans participated in a BA treatment group while in the treatment program. Twenty-one veterans attended the treatment program, but did not participate in the BA treatment group and served as a comparison group. All o f the participants completed a battery of assessments upon admission, at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 2 months after discharge. It was hypothesized that veterans participating in the BA group would evidence a greater reduction in depressive and PTSD symptoms than those in the comparison group at the posttreatment and two follow-up assessments. Veterans in the BA group evidenced mild reductions of depressive symptoms, but no changes in PTSD symptoms. The comparison group evidenced no reductions in depressive or PTSD symptoms. Factors associated with changes in symptoms were also explored.
Access Setting
Dissertation-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Wright, Theodore P., "The Effectiveness of Behavioral Activation Group Therapy: Treating Comorbid Depression on a Specialized Inpatient Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Unit for Combat Veterans" (2002). Dissertations. 1341.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/1341
Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons