Recovery-oriented Group Therapy for Veteran Men With Military Sexual Trauma

Conditions

• Sexual Trauma

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

MALE

Age

N/A - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• Men's MST Group — BEHAVIORAL
  see above
• Present-Centered Group Therapy — BEHAVIORAL
  see above

Study Details

VA has identified military sexual trauma (MST) as one of its highest priorities. MST is associated with increased prevalence of PTSD and depression, substance use disorders, suicide, difficulties maintaining relationships and employment, and homelessness. Yet important gender differences have been identified among MST survivors and many man may experience stigma and shame related to masculinity and sexuality. While gender-based shame appears central to MST-related distress and treatment underutilization, gender has often been overlooked in establishing evidence-based approaches, and no VA MST-related treatment has been developed specifically for men. To address this critical service gap, this study will collect data on improving treatment strategies and patient engagement for men with histories of MST. It will seek to develop strategies for enhancing a 12-session, gender-tailored group therapy for men MST survivors previously developed and implemented by the principal investigator. It will interview Veteran participants and mental health clinicians, conduct a pilot randomized trial, and evaluate feasibility within the VA, with the long-term goal of national implementation

Key Dates

Start date

Oct 5, 2026

Status verified

May 2026

Primary completion

Dec 31, 2028

Completion

Dec 31, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment

32 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Arms

• Experimental: Men's MST Group (MMG)
  This is a 12-week long group that meets for 90 minutes weekly. This group will draw on interventions, developed in our pilot study, and also based on the PI's previous clinical experience designing and delivering a men's MST Group oriented to reduce psychiatric distress including identity-based shame by promoting group discussion among Veteran men about masculinity, sexuality, belongingness, and emotion regulation. The group is oriented around building core drivers of recovery: 1) agency through exposure- and mindfulness-based interventions to improve distress management; 2) social belongingness through group discussions on gender-specific themes; and 3) hope through coping skill training and treatment experienced as relevant. The protocol will be further revised based on research activity during Aims 1 and 2.
• Active Comparator: Present-Centered Group Therapy (PCGT)
  PCGT is a time-limited treatment for PTSD that focuses on increasing adaptive responses to current life stressors and difficulties that are directly or indirectly related to trauma or PTSD symptoms. PCGT was initially developed as a nonspecific comparison condition to test the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. The number of PCGT sessions has ranged from 12 to 32 for the group format, and is thus appropriate to utilize for the nature of this study. To minimize possible confounds, PCGT will be delivered for a 12-week period. The basis of PCGT is to provide "common factors" of psychotherapy, demonstrating the effects of what is unique in therapies. In this instance, PCGT may help articulate whether the effect of MMG is due to being gender-specific (bringing men together in the same group therapy setting) or being gender-tailored (delivering treatment that is specifically oriented to men, such as MMG group discussions).

Primary Outcome Measure

The Recovery Assessment Scale [ Time Frame: up to 9 months ]

Central Contacts

• Jonathan Yahalom, PhD MA
  (310) 478-3711
  [email protected]
• Alison B Hamilton, PhD MPH
  (310) 478-3711
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

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