Gender Differences in the Maintenance of Response to Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine potential differential responses in men and women to cognitive behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: Fifty-two men and 56 women diagnosed with PTSD participated in randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy for PTSD. Participants were randomly allocated to either (a) exposure-only therapy (Ex) or (b) exposure-based treatment combined with cognitive restructuring (ExCR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between men and women in treatment response immediately after treatment in either Ex or ExCR. At 6-month follow-up, men displayed significantly more severe PTSD symptoms in the Ex group compared with women in the ..