Key factors involved in engaging significant others in the treatment of Vietnam veterans with PTSD.

Abstract

In an effort to be responsive to the often complicated, multilayered family issues of people living with posttraumatic stress disorder, many well-intentioned therapists create a variety of family-based services-only to be discouraged when participation is very low. In the current project, 10 Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder who were active in a stress recovery program and their live-in female partners completed separate semistructured interviews. Interviews explored each couple's perceptions about family participation in mental health treatment, including potential benefits and barriers. Findings revealed 9 key themes that elucidate many of the important issues in family engagement. The authors make 7 recommendations about how clinicians can overcome some of the possible obstacles to involving families in care.

A Family Systems Perspective to Recovery From Posttraumatic Stress in Children

“…Families who present on either end of the continuum are disengaged or enmeshed, tending to adopt rigid coping mechanisms that adhere to previous rules and routines, or resist the adoption of greater flexibility in their interactions (Sherman et al, 2008). When families adopt rigid roles, communication is restricted and functioning of the family system is compromised (Satir, 1983).…”

Recent Developments in Family Psychoeducation as an Evidence‐Based Practice

“…Consumers are also often wary of FPE out of a desire for privacy, discomfort with being talked about when not present, and skepticism of efficacy(Murray‐Swank et al., 2007). Families have many competing responsibilities, making scheduling, travel distance, time commitment, and emotional demand considerable factors (Sherman et al., 2008).…”

Families Support to Transition: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

“…Fischer et al (2013) Another focus of the non-UK literature on family engagement is on barriers to accessing support. In their analysis of partner engagement in PTSD treatment of Vietnam veterans, for example, Sherman et al (2008) explore perceived risks and barriers to partner participation and use these findings to develop strategies to solicit partner involvement in mental health treatment. The authors report that partners had raised concerns about participating in care provision and also about doubts regarding veterans' possible improvement.…”

“…They also cite logistical barriers such as geographical distance as a burden and problems coordinating child care, work and household finances. Sherman et al (2008) list implications for service delivery, noting for example that when educating partners about services it is important to emphasise the potential benefits of partner involvement to both the veteran and the caregiver and that service flexibility is essential.…”