Cognitive Processing Therapy Versus Its Individual Components in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Women Who Have Been Sexually Abused

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following exposure to a traumatic event in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms. Many people with PTSD repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of flashback episodes, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy versus its individual components in treating women with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression brought on by sexual assault.

Participants in this single-blind study will be randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: cognitive processing therapy (CPT); cognitive therapy (CT); or written exposure (WE). Participants assigned to receive either CPT or CT will attend therapy sessions twice weekly for 6 weeks. CPT will focus on helping each individual to process accurate memories of the traumatic event and to work through any memories that cannot be completely ignored, nor completely integrated back into their thinking. Also included in CPT will be a WE component, in which participants will be encouraged to recall the traumatic event and experience any emotions connected to it. CT will be similar to CPT, but will not include the WE component. Participants assigned to receive only WE will attend one 2-hour session each week. Symptoms of PTSD and depression will be measured at baseline, post-treatment, and at a 6-month follow-up visit.

Inclusion criteria

• History of a discrete episode of assault in childhood or adulthood
• Meets criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder

Exclusion criteria

• Experienced a traumatic event that was in the form of chronic ongoing abuse and not a discrete incidence
• Psychosis
• Mental retardation
• Suicidal or parasuicidal
• Currently addicted to drugs
• Illiterate
• Currently in an abusive relationship
• Currently being stalked