Predictors of Dropout in Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: An Examination of Trauma Narrative Content.

ABSTRACT: Dropout rates in trauma-focused treatments for adult posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are high. Most research has focused on demographic and pretreatment predictors of dropout, but findings have been inconsistent. We examined predictors of dropout in cognitive processing therapy (CPT) by coding the content of trauma narratives written in early sessions of CPT. Data are from a randomized controlled noninferiority trial of CPT and written exposure therapy (WET) in which CPT showed significantly higher dropout rates than WET (39.7% CPT vs. 6.4% WET). Participants were 51 adults with a primary diagnosis of PTSD who were receiving CPT and completed at least one of three narratives in the early sessions of CPT. Sixteen (31%) in this subsample were classified as dropouts and 35 as completers.

SUBMITTER: Alpert E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7431675 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature