A cognitive—behavioral treatment for battered women with PTSD in shelters: Findings from a pilot study

Abstract

Despite the high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among battered women in shelters, virtually no treatments for these women have been developed or tested. This study evaluated the initial feasibility and efficacy of an individual, cognitive–behavioral treatment for battered women with PTSD or subthreshold PTSD in shelters. Eighteen women participated in an open-trial where they received a new treatment, Helping to Overcome PTSD with Empowerment (HOPE). Intent-to-treat analyses indicate that participants experienced significant decreases in PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, in their loss of resources and degree of social impairment; and significant increases in their effective use of community resources. These gains were maintained over time. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and lack of a control group.