Geta Cojucar

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Papers by Geta Cojucar

Military Sexual Trauma During Deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan: Prevalence, Readjustment, and Gender Differences

by Sayeh Beheshti and Geta Cojucar

Violence and Victims, 2012

This study examines military sexual trauma (MST) in men and women deployed in the wars in Iraq an... more This study examines military sexual trauma (MST) in men and women deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A diverse sample of 470 (408 men and 62 women) completed anonymous self-report questionnaires. Seventy-seven reported MST: 51 (12.5%) men and 26 (42%) women. MST was significantly related to symptoms and readjustment and most strongly with intimacy problems. Of those with MST, 73% also reported exposure to war-related stressors. Gender differences revealed that women reported a higher prevalence of MST, but men were more likely to endorse MST with multiple war-related stressors. However, no gender differences were found on reports of symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or readjustment. Implications of these results are discussed.

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Post-Deployment Readjustment Inventory: Reliability, Validity, and Gender Differences

Military Psychology, 2010

This article describes the development and psychometric properties of the Post-Deployment Readjus... more This article describes the development and psychometric properties of the Post-Deployment Readjustment Inventory (PDRI). Items were derived from interviews with post-deployed troops from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) and clinicians. A diverse sample of 215 post-deployed men (183) and women (32) completed the PDRI, General Information Form, Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and Posttraumatic Checklist-Military version (PCL-M). The PDRI Global scale and six subscales (Career Challenges, Social Difficulties, Intimate Relationship Problems, Health Problems, Concerns About Deployment, and PTSD Symptoms) show excellent internal consistency and strong correlations with standardized measures. In addition, the PDRI detected unique patterns of readjustment for those who were exposed to various war stressors: military sexual trauma (MST), witnessing others injured/killed, and being injured. Gender differences revealed that women reported more MST and men reported more witnessing of others injured/killed. No gender differences were found on reports of symptoms or readjustment. Post-deployed veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) are presenting to the VA medical centers with a variety of emotional symptoms (e.g., consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder and depression) and difficulties readjusting into civilian life. Preliminary studies estimate that between 19 and 38% of these returning veterans are having emotional difficulties (

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In Her Own Words: Semi-structured Interviews of Women Veterans Who Experienced Military Sexual Assault

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 2016

Improved Attachment Style for Female Veterans Who Graduated Warrior Renew Sexual Trauma Treatment

Violence and victims, Jan 27, 2016

The Warrior Renew sexual trauma treatment program proposes to target perceived attachment style a... more The Warrior Renew sexual trauma treatment program proposes to target perceived attachment style and the internal working models of interpersonal relationships. This study examined scores on the Relationships Scales Questionnaire and Brief Symptom Inventory pre- and post-treatment in a sample of 62 female veterans who graduated the program. Findings revealed that graduates of Warrior Renew reported significant decreases in fearful and dismissive insecure attachment and significant increases in secure attachment. Scores were significantly correlated with symptoms. Findings lend support to an upward spiral hypothesis associated with long-term positive outcomes found in previous research on Warrior Renew.

Iraq Readjustment Inventory (Preliminary Version)

PsycTESTS Dataset, 2011

Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Women's Survey

PsycTESTS Dataset, 2015

Delivering Integrative Restoration-Yoga Nidra Meditation (iRest®) to Women with Sexual Trauma at a Veteran's Medical Center: A Pilot Study

International journal of yoga therapy, 2014

This pilot study examines iRest, a form of guided mindfulness meditation, and its ability to redu... more This pilot study examines iRest, a form of guided mindfulness meditation, and its ability to reduce symptoms associated with sexual trauma, including military sexual trauma (MST), in a sample of women seeking psychotherapy services at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. 90-minute sessions were held 19 times, twice a week for 10 weeks, except for the week with a holiday. Participants completed self-report measures Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI), Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Check List (PCL) pre- and post-treatment. Sixteen women were recruited: 15 enrolled, 5 dropped due to transportation issues, and 10 completed the protocol. Completers reported significant decreases in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL, t (9) = 3.17, p < 0.01, d = 0.66), negative thoughts of self-blame (PTCI t (9) = 2.96, p < 0.05, d = 0.52), and depression (BSI, t (9) = 2.33, p < 0.05, d = 0.64). Participants also offere...

Longitudinal Outcomes of Women Veterans Enrolled in the Renew Sexual Trauma Treatment Program

by Geta Cojucar and Claire Lindl

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 2014

Forty-three female veterans who were starting the 12 weeks Renew treatment program for survivors ... more Forty-three female veterans who were starting the 12 weeks Renew treatment program for survivors of sexual trauma at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center were recruited for this study. Forty-one participants enrolled in a within subjects design longitudinal study. Participants completed structured interviews at pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment, and at 6, 9, and 12 months from baseline. Thirty-seven completed the treatment (10 % dropout) and 32 completed the entire study. Similar to previous findings on Renew, posttraumatic symptoms decreased immediately after graduation with large to medium effect sizes. In addition, up to 70 % had reliable clinical change at the 95 % confidence interval. However, the main hypothesis of this study was to test the stability of treatment outcomes at 12 months from baseline. Not only were these changes sustained 12 months from baseline, positive factors of self-esteem and quality of life continued to increase over time. Given participants' level of trauma and their chronicity of symptoms prior to Renew, results suggest that Renew is an effective treatment for female veterans with multiple traumas across the life span including military sexual trauma, and a variety of life stressors including homelessness, substance abuse, and medical problems.

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Women who served in Iraq seeking mental health services: Relationships between military sexual trauma, symptoms, and readjustment

Psychological Services, 2007

... Women already com-prise about 10.5% of the troops deployed in OIF/ OEF (Hoge, Auchterlonie, &... more ... Women already com-prise about 10.5% of the troops deployed in OIF/ OEF (Hoge, Auchterlonie, &amp;amp; Milliken, 2006). ... In times of war, these rates remain consistent as Jessica Wolfe and colleagues&amp;#x27; (1992) study found that women de-ployed in the Gulf War reported 61% verbal ...

Post-Deployment Readjustment Inventory

by Geta Cojucar and Claire Lindl

PsycTESTS Dataset, 2000

Holographic Reprocessing: Techniques and Empirical Findings to Treat Sexual Trauma and Abuse

by Geta Cojucar and Miatta Snetter

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000

Assessing Readjustment From OIF/OEF Using the Post-Deployment Readjustment Inventory

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000

Homeless Women Veterans Treated for Sexual Trauma: Outcomes of 12 Month Follow-up

by Geta Cojucar and Claire Lindl

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000

Psychometric Properties of the War Events Inventory

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000

War Events Inventory

PsycTESTS Dataset, 2000

Military Sexual Trauma During Deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan: Prevalence, Readjustment, and Gender Differences

Violence and Victims, 2012

Holographic reprocessing: Empirical evidence to reduce posttraumatic cognitions in women veterans with PTSD from sexual trauma and abuse

by Geta Cojucar and Miatta Snetter

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 2008

Holographic reprocessing (HR) facilitates holistic reappraisal of attributions regarding interper... more Holographic reprocessing (HR) facilitates holistic reappraisal of attributions regarding interpersonal violence and maltreatment. The authors tested the feasibility to train therapists to run a protocol using HR to reduce negative thoughts associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women veterans who have had sexual trauma or abuse. The study assessed pre- and postscores on the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) in a naturalistic clinical setting with 5 therapists. The protocol consisted of screening for PTSD, followed by an average of 9 HR treatment sessions. Twenty-two women were referred to the study; 17 enrolled and completed treatment (0% dropout rate). Significant decreases were found on all scales of the PTCI, with large effect sizes: total negative thoughts, t(16) = 4.42, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .000, Cohen&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s d = 1.52, and 47% of the sample had reliable change (decreased negative thoughts; RC &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; -1.96). These findings suggest that HR is a promising treatment for sexual trauma PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

War experiences inventory: Initial psychometric and structural properties

Military Psychology, 2012

We examined the structural and psychometric properties of the War Experiences Inventory (WEI) wit... more

Renew: An Integrative Psychotherapy Program for Women Veterans with Sexual Trauma

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 2014

Renew is an integrative treatment consisting of 210 hours of programming for women Veterans to ad... more Renew is an integrative treatment consisting of 210 hours of programming for women Veterans to address sexual trauma, including military sexual trauma. The curriculum consists of a holistic approach to healing and is based on the principles of Holographic Reprocessing. Of the 119 women Veterans enrolled in an uncontrolled outcome study (e.g., completed pre-and post-treatment questionnaires), 80 of the participants reported multiple traumas across their lifespan and 95 experienced military sexual trauma. Of the 112 who started treatment, 97 graduated (13 % dropout rate). Graduates showed a significant reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychiatric symptoms, and posttraumatic negative cognitions (up to 60 % had reliable clinical change at the 95 % confidence interval), and significant increases in selfesteem, optimism, and satisfaction with life with large to moderate effect sizes. These initial data are promising and further research is warranted to test if Renew is effective to treat women Veterans with complex issues including sexual trauma, PTSD, medical problems, chronic pain, and histories of homelessness and substance abuse.

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Comparing Holographic Reprocessing and Prolonged Exposure for Women Veterans with Sexual Trauma: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 2014

ABSTRACT