Trauma-Informed Guilt Reduction (TrIGR) Intervention
Abstract
Posttraumatic guilt and shame are common among Veterans and have been implicated in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic distress and a range of adverse outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidality, and alcohol/substance use disorders. There is a pressing need for effective treatments targeting transdiagnostic mechanisms such as guilt. We developed Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction (TrIGR) therapy as a therapeutic tool to help Veterans accurately appraise deployment-related guilt and to re-identify and reengage with their values. Our previous pilot studies of TrIGR with OEF/OIF/OND Veterans and active duty Marines showed reductions in guilt distress and severity, PTSD symptoms, and depression with medium to large effect sizes. The overall objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of TrIGR in reducing deployment-related guilt. The overarching hypothesis is that TrIGR will reduce guilt, shame, and related distress, and these improvements will be significantly greater than in the comparison condition, Supportive Care Therapy (SCT). The study is a Stage 2randomized, controlled trial of TrIGR compared to SCT. Recruitment of participants takes place at two VA Medical Centers (San Diego, CA and Providence, RI). 145 OEF/OIF/OND Veterans were randomized to TrIGR or SCT across two sites (53 in Providence). All eligible participants complete an in-person baseline assessment, receive 6 sessions of TrIGR or SCT in individual format, complete brief bi-weekly self-report measures during treatment, and complete follow-up assessments immediately post-treatment, and 3- and 6-months later. We completed data collection at the Providence site in December 2020.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1201601
Entities
People
- christy capone
Organizations
- Brown University