Abstract
Aims and method: To investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of subgroups of UK veterans attending a dedicated psychological therapies service following the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) treatment model. Veterans accessing a newly established service in the north-west were categorised into three groups: early service leavers, those with a physical disability, and substance and/or alcohol misusers. Anxiety, depression and social functioning were measured pre- and post-treatment.
Results: Veterans vary in their demographic and clinical characteristics as well as in treatment efficacy, as measured by the post-treatment scores on probable depression and anxiety. Therapy appears to be most effective in early service leavers, whereas veterans with a physical disability or a substance or alcohol misuse problem tend not to do as well in terms of symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Clinical implications: This study highlights the importance of targeting different veteran subgroups for dedicated psychological therapy.
Results: Veterans vary in their demographic and clinical characteristics as well as in treatment efficacy, as measured by the post-treatment scores on probable depression and anxiety. Therapy appears to be most effective in early service leavers, whereas veterans with a physical disability or a substance or alcohol misuse problem tend not to do as well in terms of symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Clinical implications: This study highlights the importance of targeting different veteran subgroups for dedicated psychological therapy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 270-275 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | The Psychiatrist |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2014 |