University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Gender Differences in the Maintenance of Response to Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 10:23 authored by Kim FelminghamKim Felmingham, Bryant, RA

Objective: To examine potential differential responses in men and women to cognitive behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Method: Fifty-two men and 56 women diagnosed with PTSD participated in randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy for PTSD. Participants were randomly allocated to either (a) exposure-only therapy (Ex) or (b) exposure-based treatment combined with cognitive restructuring (ExCR).

Results: There were no significant differences between men and women in treatment response immediately after treatment in either Ex or ExCR. At 6-month follow-up, men displayed significantly more severe PTSD symptoms in the Ex group compared with women in the Ex group, and compared with men and women in the ExCR conditions.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that men with PTSD have a reduced maintenance of treatment gains following exposure therapy compared with women, but display less relapse if exposure therapy is combined with cognitive therapy. These findings are consistent with evidence that women recall emotional memories and retain extinction memories more strongly than men, which may facilitate emotional processing and long-term treatment gains.

History

Publication title

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Volume

80

Pagination

196-200

ISSN

0022-006X

Department/School

School of Psychological Sciences

Publisher

Amer Psychological Assoc

Place of publication

750 First St Ne, Washington, USA, Dc, 20002-4242

Rights statement

Copyright © 2012 American Psychological Society

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC