Citation

Cloitre M, Koenen KC, Cohen LR, Han H. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 2002; 70(5): 1067-1074.

Affiliation

New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA. mcloitre@med.cornell.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, American Psychological Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12362957

Abstract

Fifty-eight women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood abuse were randomly assigned to a 2-phase cognitive-behavioral treatment or a minimal attention wait list. Phase 1 of treatment included 8 weekly sessions of skills training in affect and interpersonal regulation; Phase 2 included 8 sessions of modified prolonged exposure. Compared with those on wait list, participants in active treatment showed significant improvement in affect regulation problems, interpersonal skills deficits, and PTSD symptoms. Gains were maintained at 3- and 9-month follow-up. Phase 1 therapeutic alliance and negative mood regulation skills predicted Phase 2 exposure success in reducing PTSD, suggesting the value of establishing a strong therapeutic relationship and emotion regulation skills before exposure work among chronic PTSD populations.

Language: en