This study aimed to validate the effectiveness of the Unified Protocol (UP) for emotional disorders in adults who experienced Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Relation to Interpersonal Loss. To this end, the researcher adapted the UP to address Posttraum...
This study aimed to validate the effectiveness of the Unified Protocol (UP) for emotional disorders in adults who experienced Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Relation to Interpersonal Loss. To this end, the researcher adapted the UP to address Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Relation to Interpersonal Loss. Adults (n=26) who reported Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Relation to Interpersonal Loss on the ‘Trauma Experience Questionnaire’ with a distress level of 4 or higher, or scored 11 or higher on the ‘Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS)’, and who consented to participate in the program were recruited. They were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n=14) and a waiting control group (n=12). Data from 24 participants were analyzed after excluding 2 individuals who missed 3 or more sessions or voluntarily withdrew. The program consisted of 8 sessions conducted twice weekly. Sessions 1-5 lasted 75 minutes each, while sessions 6-8 lasted 90 minutes each, all delivered face-to-face. Pre-tests were administered before the program began, post-tests immediately after program completion, and follow-up tests two weeks after program completion. Analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between group and time point. Compared to the waitlist control group, the treatment group showed significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms, experiential avoidance, difficulties in emotional regulation, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms at both post-test and follow-up relative to pre-test levels. Posttraumatic growth significantly increased. These results suggest that a UP for emotional disorders is effective in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms, experiential avoidance, difficulties in emotional regulation, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms, while enhancing posttraumatic growth in adults who experienced Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Relation to Interpersonal Loss. The study's significance, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed in the conclusion.