Undergraduate Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 4-29-2024

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Dr. Paul F. Tremblay

Abstract

The purpose of this Meta-analysis was to determine whether a disparity exists between black and white racial groups in achieving positive PTSD treatment outcomes. Outcomes of interest included comparing successful treatment outcomes, mean symptom reduction, and treatment dropout rates. Studies had to include both black and white identifying participants in their sample and they had to focus only on adults with PTSD. Studies were excluded if they were focused on analysing comorbid disorders in addition to PTSD and they were excluded if they had interventions in addition to PTSD treatment, such as race matched therapists. Databases including PsychInfo, MEDLINE, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global were Searched for studies up to November 10, 2023. The total studies found in the search was 2,853 and of those 14 were included in the present meta-analysis. Whites had a small greater mean symptom reduction than blacks (k = 4, Total N = 2,597, Cohens d = 0.23, p < .001, CI [0.14, 0.33]). Blacks had slightly lower odds of achieving a successful treatment outcome (k = 5, Total N = 22,115, Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.86, p < .001, CI [-0.20, -0.09]). Blacks had a greater odds of dropping out of treatment, although this difference was not statistically significant (k = 10, Total N = 220,034, OR = 0.86, p = 0.108, CI [-0.05, 0.51]). Limitations of this study include a lack of study quality evaluation, low number of included studies, and there was only a single coder and screener in the study selection process. The disparity between blacks and whites in PTSD treatment outcomes is apparent in symptom reduction and successful treatment outcomes pointing to the disadvantage blacks have in receiving adequate treatment for PTSD. Investigation of various contributing moderators is needed to determine the extent race alone contributes to differences in PTSD treatment outcomes. Additionally, strategies for increasing availability of high quality mental health care for disadvantaged groups, such as racial minorities, to be explored to reduce the burden of trauma on disadvantaged populations.

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