Title:	USING FOCUS GROUPS WITH VETERANS TO IDENTIFY ISSUES TO ADAPT A COMPUTERIZED TAILORED INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS PTSD RELATED BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS
Author(s):	Claudio Nigg, Yue Huang, Patricia J. Jordan, Katherine Burke, Michelle Kawasaki, Kerry E. Evers, Laurel King, Stacy Daly, James Spira
ISBN:	978-972-8939-67-0
Editors:	Piet Kommers and Pedro Isaías
Year:	2012
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Computerized tailored intervention, posttraumatic stress disorder, veterans, transtheoretical model
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	304
Last Page:	311
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	Combat exposure for military service members in Iraq and Afghanistan has increased the incidence and prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated behavioral risk factors. With the increased need for behavioral health services in this population, there is value in examining evidence-based interventions that help veterans to self-manage behavioral risk factors contributing to PTSD. This study evaluated the relevance of an evidence-based computerized tailored intervention (CTI) developed by Pro-Change Behavior Systems for behavioral risk factors associated with PTSD in veterans and identified veteran-specific issues for future adaptation. Three focus groups with a total of 21 male veterans were conducted. Three CTI programs, previously developed to address smoking cessation, stress management, and depression prevention in a general adult population, were evaluated for their applicability to a combat veteran population. Qualitative methodology was utilized to categorize major themes and subthemes regarding acceptability of the programs to veterans. Participants thought the existing CTI programs were generally applicable to veterans; however, they identified several issues, such as activities in which veterans do not typically engage and graphics that were reminiscent of combat experiences. Veteran participants also made some population-specific suggestions to the program content, including the addition of feelings of alienation and difficulty gaining support from non-veterans. This evidence-based CTI system addressing multiple behavioral risk factors associated with PTSD is largely applicable and can be successfully adapted to serve veterans.
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