Reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity among depressed women with childhood sexual abuse histories in interpersonal psychotherapy-trauma: The role of improved social functioning.

Abstract

Objective: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) increases risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and both CSA and PTSD are strongly associated with impaired social functioning. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has demonstrated promise for adults with PTSD and has been shown to be effective for women with PTSD and histories of CSA, but the mechanisms by which IPT might improve PTSD are unknown. The current secondary analysis tested whether the ameliorative effect of IPT-trauma (IPT-T) on PTSD, demonstrated in a randomized effectiveness trial, was mediated by improved social function. Method: The randomized effectiveness trial compared IPT-T to clinic psychotherapy in a publicly funded community mental health center. Women with CSA histories and major depression (n = 162; Mage = 36.3; 54% White, 38% Black, 8% other race) were randomly assigned to IPT-T or CP, and 16 free sessions of IPT-T or CP were offered within a 32-week treatment period. Eighty-eight percent of the sample met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Results: Mediation models confirmed hypotheses, showing that the effect of IPT-T on improved PTSD symptoms at Week 32 (end of treatment) was partially mediated by better social functioning at Week 16 (middle of treatment period; path c1: B = 12.25, p = .04, 95% confidence interval [.44, 24.05]). Conclusions: Findings support that a non-exposure-based therapy can reduce PTSD symptoms via improved social functioning. Given extensive literature showing the importance of social functioning in mental health generally and PTSD specifically, integrating a focus on social functioning (e.g., building social skills, expanding support networks) into treatments, including exposure-based treatments, may enhance outcomes.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Interpersonal Counseling and Interpersonal Psychotherapy in Emotional Expression, Social Skills, and Depression Symptoms in Students

“…One of the most important variables that play a significant role in interpersonal relationships is social skills, examined at two emotional and social levels. The results obtained for this variable are consistent with the results of Glanton Holzhauer et al's study (37), indicating that IPT has significantly improved social skills in women with headaches. On the other hand, the absence of a significant difference in this variable between IPC and IPT indicates the consistency of these results with the results of the aforementioned study and shows the effectiveness of IPC in improving social skills.…”

Healing the Collective: Community-Healing Models and the Complex Relationship Between Individual Trauma and Historical Trauma in First Nations Survivors

“…While individuals encounter a range of traumatic experiences, interpersonal trauma or relational wounding is a primary source of human suffering and dysfunction (Butman, 2011; El-Baalbaki & Fortin, 2016; Fowler et al, 2013; McMinn & Campbell, 2007; Schumm et al, 2006). The range of symptoms and consequences of interpersonal trauma include disruption of individual identity, ego integrity and regulation, and relationship with others including community (Bell et al, 2019; Courtois & Ford, 2009; D’Andrea et al, 2012; Dugal et al, 2016; Glanton Holzhauer et al, 2022; Herman, 1997). The introduction of sin into the world resulted not only in individual consequences but also in broken relationships between individuals and between humanity and God (Gen. 3:4–24; 2 Cor.…”