¶ … Veterans generally, and in the American army in particular, experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that affects their lives in crucial aspects. This problem, moreover, seems to be increasing. Veterans therefore need psychological treatment. Of all the psychotherapeutic treatments assessed in relation to the matter, it seems, as though cognitive therapy may be the most helpful. This study would like to assess whether or not such is the case, as well as descriptions of the way the intervention should be conducted in order to make it most effective in relieving PTSD symptoms in veterans and in enabling them to proceed with their lives. The researchers would also like to investigate whether cognitive therapy may be more effective on females than on males and whether other demographics are involved in ensuring efficacy of study.
Set of research questions used to organize and focus continuing search for information and reading of literature.
Questions would include the following
1. Are there any differences between the rate of female veterans and rate of male veterans that experience PTSD?
2. Does therapy have a more significant positive effect on males than on females?
3. Is there a significant amount of literature that demonstrates efficacy of CBT on PTSD in comparison to other therapies ? Or is the literature on the subject contradictory regarding its impact?
4. Is there any other approach that is shown to have significant impact on reducing PTSD in particular? Has this therapy been used with veterans?
5. Are there any other significant demographic variables that are noticeable in connection with veteran-related PTSD (e.g. do Black veterans seem to have a higher incidence of PTSD than Whites)?
6. Does multi-cultural counseling employ different forms of therapy when treating PTSD or are treatments constant?
7. Are any other treatments used in any other country in regards to PTSD in general and if so what is their characteristics and rate of success?
3. Identify the source for the problem and describe whether you see this as a potential gap in previous research
The gap that I can see this study addressing is the fact that it is important that war veterans experiencing PTSD be effectively treated and, therefore, psychological treatments should be tested in order to see which is the most efficacious. It may be that CBT is the most helpful, but further evidence is needed to prove so. PTSD has recurring ramifications that affect many variables of life from employment opportunities to social and family atmosphere. There are some who never fully recover their mental or physical capacities, aside from those who have been unalterably handicapped for life. Quality of life becomes another factor, as well as debilitating stress on family. Ramifications are huge, conceivably consequenting in a veteran's losing his family (through the spouse demanding a divorce upon his return since she may feel unable to cope with his altered mental and/or physical conditions) to the veteran committing suicide. It is therefore crucial that psychological interventions be studied regarding their influence in regards to this situation as well as assessing variables that may be adopted in order to better one's counseling practice in regards to helping veterans with PTSD. Also helpful would be assessing whether gender and possible ethnic differences exist in relation to the problem. If such were the case, counselors and social scientists could structure interventions and programs accordingly.
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