Premium
Integrative Intensive Retreats for Veteran Couples and Families: A Pilot Study Assessing Change in Relationship Adjustment, Posttraumatic Growth, and Trauma Symptoms
Author(s) -
Monk J. Kale,
Oseland Lauren M.,
Nelson Goff Briana S.,
Ogolsky Brian G.,
Summers Kali
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/jmft.12230
Subject(s) - psychoeducation , posttraumatic growth , clinical psychology , psychology , feeling , intervention (counseling) , coping (psychology) , posttraumatic stress , population , recreation , psychiatry , medicine , psychotherapist , social psychology , environmental health , political science , law
We assessed a brief, systemic retreat‐style intervention that was developed to address concerns about the utilization of services for veterans coping with traumatic stress. A total of 76 dyads ( N = 152) were assessed before and after a 4‐day retreat, which included psychoeducation, group and conjoint therapeutic sessions, and recreational relaxation components. Overall, participants reported a reduction in trauma symptoms, but only support persons experienced a significant increase in posttraumatic growth from pretest to posttest. Both veterans and their romantic partners reported an increase in relationship adjustment after the retreat. Opportunities to address the needs of this population by removing barriers to treatment and reducing feelings of isolation, as well as implications for similar treatments are discussed.