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The impact of exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy for post‐trauma nightmares on suicidal ideation
Author(s) -
Cogan Chelsea M.,
Lee Jenny Y.,
Cranston Christopher C.,
Pruiksma Kristi E.,
Rhudy Jamie L.,
Davis Joanne L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22852
Subject(s) - nightmare , suicidal ideation , psychology , exposure therapy , relaxation (psychology) , depression (economics) , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , posttraumatic stress , brief psychotherapy , relaxation therapy , ideation , psychiatry , poison control , suicide prevention , medicine , anxiety , medical emergency , economics , macroeconomics , cognitive science , social psychology
Objective This study investigated whether a brief psychotherapy for post‐trauma nightmares (exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy [ERRT]), reduced suicidal ideation (SI). We hypothesized that: (a) nightmare frequency and severity, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and sleep quality would be related to SI at pretreatment; (b) SI would decrease from pre‐ to post‐treatment; and (c) the decrease in SI would remain after controlling for change in PTSD and depression. Method Seventy‐five individuals exposed to a traumatic event and who experienced frequent nightmares (minimum one per week) participated in ERRT. Participants were not required to have a psychological diagnosis. Thirty percent endorsed SI at pretreatment. Results Depression and PTSD were related to SI at pretreatment. SI decreased following treatment; however, the third hypothesis was not supported. Conclusion Results suggest brief psychotherapy targeting post‐trauma nightmares may decrease SI. More research is necessary to determine what factors contribute to decreases in SI.