The Emerging Literature on Exposure‐Based Writing Therapies for Subthreshold and Clinical Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Response to Thompson‐Hollands et al.’s (2020) Commentary on Dawson et al. (2020)

Abstract

Thompson‐Hollands et al.’s (2020) commentary on our systematic review of exposure‐based writing therapies for subthreshold and clinical posttraumatic stress symptoms (Dawson et al., 2020) emphasizes important questions about the impact of heterogeneity in drawing inferences from evidence reviews. In this reply, we discuss (a) our rationale for undertaking a systematic review that was broad rather than narrow in scope and (b) provide clarifications on how heterogeneity was considered in the meta‐analyses that were conducted. We also strongly agree with Thompson‐Hollands et al.’s recommendation that future research should focus on better understanding the mechanisms by which exposure‐based writing therapies help reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms After Potentially Traumatic Events

“…In addition, the identification of a partial (or subthreshold) PTSD class in the present study could be relevant as such symptom patterns have been associated with a wide range of negative LATENT CLASSES OF PTSD ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION 20 outcomes including more healthcare utilization and an increased risk of suicidality (Brancu et al, 2016). Potentially, providing treatment for this group, such as exposurebased writing therapy (Dawson et al, 2021), may help mitigate the negative consequences of PTSD symptomatology within this group.…”