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Multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury: what is the value to participants?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Straits-Troster, K; Gierisch, JM; Strauss, JL; Dyck, DG; Dixon, LB; Norell, D; Perlick, DA
Published in: Psychiatr Serv
June 2013

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and helpfulness of implementation of multifamily group treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) among veterans who sustained a TBI during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families or caregivers. METHODS: Veterans and their family members who participated in an open clinical trial (August 2010-March 2011) of multifamily psychoeducation for TBI at two Veterans Affairs medical centers were invited to one of three focus groups. Participants were asked about problems experienced before and during the intervention, aspects of treatment that were helpful, and improvements that would facilitate effective implementation of multifamily group treatment for TBI. Postintervention focus group transcripts were analyzed by utilizing qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Participants included eight veterans with TBI and eight family members. Five themes emerged: exploring common struggles and reducing isolation, building skills to cope with TBI and related problems, restoring relationships through communication and understanding, increasing understanding of the interconnection between TBI and posttraumatic stress disorder, and improving the multifamily group experience and increasing treatment engagement of veterans and families. Veterans and family members found multifamily group treatment for TBI highly acceptable and offered recommendations to improve and increase access to the program. CONCLUSIONS: The results supported the feasibility and acceptability of multifamily group treatment for TBI. Specific recommendations to improve this psychoeducational intervention and its implementation are offered.

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Published In

Psychiatr Serv

DOI

EISSN

1557-9700

Publication Date

June 2013

Volume

64

Issue

6

Start / End Page

541 / 546

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Veterans
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • United States
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011
  • Humans
  • Focus Groups
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
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Straits-Troster, K., Gierisch, J. M., Strauss, J. L., Dyck, D. G., Dixon, L. B., Norell, D., & Perlick, D. A. (2013). Multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury: what is the value to participants? Psychiatr Serv, 64(6), 541–546. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.001632012
Straits-Troster, Kristy, Jennifer M. Gierisch, Jennifer L. Strauss, Dennis G. Dyck, Lisa B. Dixon, Diane Norell, and Deborah A. Perlick. “Multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury: what is the value to participants?Psychiatr Serv 64, no. 6 (June 2013): 541–46. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.001632012.
Straits-Troster K, Gierisch JM, Strauss JL, Dyck DG, Dixon LB, Norell D, et al. Multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury: what is the value to participants? Psychiatr Serv. 2013 Jun;64(6):541–6.
Straits-Troster, Kristy, et al. “Multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury: what is the value to participants?Psychiatr Serv, vol. 64, no. 6, June 2013, pp. 541–46. Pubmed, doi:10.1176/appi.ps.001632012.
Straits-Troster K, Gierisch JM, Strauss JL, Dyck DG, Dixon LB, Norell D, Perlick DA. Multifamily group treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injury: what is the value to participants? Psychiatr Serv. 2013 Jun;64(6):541–546.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychiatr Serv

DOI

EISSN

1557-9700

Publication Date

June 2013

Volume

64

Issue

6

Start / End Page

541 / 546

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Veterans
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • United States
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011
  • Humans
  • Focus Groups