Predictors of veterans' participation in cognitive-behavioral group treatment for PTSD

Increasingly effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have led to dramatic improvements in the lives of many trauma survivors; however, a significant subgroup of individuals with PTSD avoids mental health treatment. Little is known about the features distinguishing those who participate in treatment from those who do not. We analyzed archival clinical data from 197 male veterans who were evaluated in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center PTSD clinic. We found greater PTSD severity associated with initial enrollment and continued participation in a PTSD group treatment program, and we noted few differences on other background and symptom measures. These preliminary findings suggest possible directions for future research in this area, which may have implications for enhancing service delivery to individuals with PTSD.