A single case study exploring the use of an individual case formulation in assisting treatment of PTSD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A single case study exploring the use of an individual case formulation in assisting treatment of PTSD
IRAS ID
201009
Contact name
Alicia Griffiths
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Case formulation aims to describe a persons psychological difficulties using theory to explain behaviour and factors that maintain psychological problems that can inform psychological interventions. It is an essential part of psychological treatment, and therefore, scientifically exploring the use of formulations is essential for developing effective psychological treatment and enhancing understanding of their usefulness within Clinical Psychology. The proposed research project will focus on the use of a formulation diagram which will include detailed information about an individuals difficulties such as behaviour, thoughts and therapist interpretations. This study will explore whether this formulation diagram can assist treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people who are also using cannabis or alcohol to cope with difficult and traumatic symptoms.
This study will track individual service users from the traumatic stress clinic at St Pancras Hospital (8 participants) to explore which aspects of a formulation diagram can predict treatment outcomes in individuals receiving PTSD treatment who are simultaneously using cannabis or alcohol. Repeated measures of PTSD symptoms, alcohol/cannabis use, mood and general functioning will be taken over the course of PTSD treatment and analysed post-treatment. We predict that specific aspects of the formulation diagram will be associated with PTSD treatment outcomes. There are implications for use of formulation diagrams across psychology services and for informing psychological treatment if diagrams are found to be associated with outcomes. Results will add to increasing understanding of the clinical usefulness of case formulations.REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
16/SS/0078
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion