Effects of Cognitive Processing Therapy on PTSD-Related Negative Cognitions in Veterans With Military Sexual Trauma

Treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to military sexual trauma (MST) continues to be a priority in veteran populations. Because negative cognitions (NCs) contribute to PTSD severity and treatment, further understanding of how PTSD and related NCs can be addressed and changed within an MST sample is important. Our study analyzed 45 participants who received either cognitive processing therapy (n = 32) or present centered therapy (n = 13). Participants who received cognitive processing therapy had significantly lower NCs scores post-treatment and at follow-up sessions than participants in the present centered therapy condition (p < 0.05). In addition, NCs were positively correlated with PTSD severity (p < 0.05). Implications for future research are discussed for both MST-related and non-MST-related PTSD.