The current study will examine daily-level impacts of a technique addressing positive memory retrieval on thoughts, feelings, and health among individuals with trauma experiences.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is primarily a memory encoding- and retrieval-based disorder. If untreated, there are significant physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts for an individual, their families, and the society broadly. Research demonstrates that positive memory processes contribute to the etiology and maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Indeed, difficulties in retrieving and discussing positive memories are amplified among individuals with PTSD. Further, interventions capitalizing on (positive) memory retrieval have been linked to enhanced psychological well-being. Considering this literature, the Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) was developed as a promising new treatment approach for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which involves detailed narration and processing of specific positive autobiographical memories. This study uses an innovative research protocol that combines case-series design and daily diary approaches to the effects of PPMT on daily affect, daily cognitions, and daily PTSD symptoms. It is hypothesized that at the daily level, in comparison to their an individual's pre-PPMT levels, following the PPMT intervention, participants will report (1) a lower count of endorsed daily PTSD symptoms, (2) increases in daily positive affect and decreases in daily negative affect, (3) increases in positive affect reactivity to daily positive events, and (4) decreases in daily posttrauma cognitions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
70
PPMT was administered weekly as a 4-session protocol. In session 1, participants receive psychoeducation on PTSD symptoms, an overview of PPMT, and are assessed for psychological symptoms. Sessions 1-4 involve the detailed processing of a salient positive autobiographical memory to elicit "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" related to that positive memory. Homework assignments include listening to an audio recording of that memory, completing a "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" log, and engaging in a behavioral activity. In session 4, the therapist also reviews psychological symptoms and addresses termination.
University of North Texas
Denton, Texas, United States
Daily negative and positive affect levels
Daily Positive and Negative Affect are assessed by rating the extent of four positive (excited, cheerful, satisfied, relaxed) and six negative (stressed, irritated, anxious, sad, hopeless, insecure) emotions. This is adapted from the 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Scale. The total positive affect subscale score can range from 1 to 20, with higher scores reflecting more positive affect levels. The total negative affect subscale score can range from 1 to 30, with higher scores reflecting more negative affect.
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily positive events
Daily positive events is measured by 1 item which asked participants to think about the most positive event of the day and rate how pleasant it was. The score can range from 1 to 4, with higher scores reflecting that the event was more pleasant.
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily posttrauma cognitions
A 9-item brief version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI-9) will measure trauma-related thoughts/beliefs with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total raw score can range from 1 to 63, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more negative posttrauma cognitions.
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily PTSD symptoms
Daily-life version of the Primary Care-PTSD-5 screen (PC-PTSD-5) will assess daily PTSD symptoms with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total score can range from 0 to 5, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more PTSD symptoms.
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Number of retrieved positive memories
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.
Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
Number of retrieved positive memories
AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.
Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.
Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.
Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.
Time frame: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week
PTSD symptom severity
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.
Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
PTSD symptom severity
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.
Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions
PTSD symptom severity
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.
Time frame: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week