Positive affect processes and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: Findings from an open label and uncontrolled pilot study using the positive memory processing technique.

Abstract

Recently, a five-session processing of positive memories technique (PPMT) was proposed as a novel intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One purported outcome of and mechanism underlying PPMT’s effects on PTSD is improved positive affect processes. In this uncontrolled pilot study, we examined whether PPMT was associated with decreases in PTSD severity; and whether changes in positive affect levels, reactivity, and dysregulation related to changes in PTSD severity across sessions. The sample included 16 trauma-exposed participants seeking services at a University Psychology Clinic (Mage = 27.44 years; 68.80% women). Multilevel linear growth models examined the main effects of each positive affect variable and their interactions with time on PTSD severity. PTSD severity decreased across PPMT treatment in each model (bs = −.43 to −.33; d = −.03; ps < .001–.008). There was a main effect of positive emotion dysregulation (b = 1.16, d = .11; p = .009), but not of positive affect levels (p = .821) or reactivity (p = .356) on PTSD severity. However, positive affect processes did not modify the trajectory of PTSD severity across treatment. Regarding PTSD symptom clusters, there was an interaction between positive affect levels and time on alterations in arousal and reactivity (AAR) cluster severity (b = −.01, p = .036); individuals with positive affect levels 1 SD above the mean (b = −.18, p < .01) and at the mean (b = −.10, p = .01) had greater decreases in AAR cluster severity across treatment compared with individuals with positive affect levels 1 SD below the mean (b = −.02, p = .710). Findings suggest that PPMT may relate to improved PTSD symptoms; and that positive affect levels/dysregulation may be worthwhile targets for future investigations.

Relations Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Positive Memory Characteristics Among Women Reporting Intimate Partner Violence: A Micro-Longitudinal Study

“…These results are consistent with prior observational research using an ESM design over varied periods of time, including 10 days in a student sample (Contractor, Messman, et al, 2023a), 28 days in a veteran sample (Possemato et al, 2012), and 15 days in a sample of service members (Biggs et al, 2019). Our results may indicate unintended effects of retrieving positive memories daily on PTSD symptoms, consistent with literature suggesting that the retrieval and processing of positive memories repeatedly may improve posttrauma well-being (Contractor, Banducci, et al, 2020; Contractor, Slavish, et al, 2023b; Contractor, Weiss, et al, 2022; Miguel-Alvaro et al, 2021). Results may also reflect more accurate reporting of daily PTSD symptoms within an ESM framework compared to what we see with retrospective reports (Schuler et al, 2021).…”

The Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Affect and Cognitions Among Survivors of Trauma: Protocol for a Daily Diary Study

“…In the second study, authors found that survivors of trauma who repeatedly retrieved positive (and neutral) memories reported less PTSD and depression severity, fewer posttrauma cognitions, and improved affect [39]. Using an open-label pilot trial, the feasibility and effects of the 5-session PPMT were examined among 12 survivors of trauma [40,41]. The authors found that PPMT reduced PTSD symptoms, reduced negative affect, and improved regulation of positive affect, and there were good feasibility indicators for PPMT (eg, PPMT was acceptable).…”