Feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes: A pilot trial of the enhancing social function in older veterans with PTSD (ESVP) group intervention

Abstract

Poor social function is associated with negative health outcomes and premature mortality in older veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This pilot randomized trial evaluated a nine-session group-based intervention (Enhancing Social Function for Older Veterans with PTSD [ESVP]) to enhance social function in older veterans with PTSD compared with a support group condition. Participants were 36 U.S. military veterans aged 60 years or older who had experienced military-related trauma and endorsed symptoms of PTSD. Feasibility, acceptability, and changes in social function were assessed across baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. Enrollment and engagement metrics supported feasibility. Participant ratings of session relevance and satisfaction were high and did not significantly differ between conditions. Veterans under the ESVP condition were significantly more likely to rate themselves as feeling "better" (t = 3.81, p < .001), less angry (t = 3.59, p < .001) and less distressed (t = 3.44, p < .001), and were more likely to report having used coping (C = .21, p < .05) and anger management skills (C = .33, p < .001) than veterans under the support condition. ESVP demonstrated a stronger effect on intimate relationship (η² = 0.07) and family function (η² = 0.11) subscales of the Inventory of Psychosocial Function, and both conditions reported improvement in friends and socializing (η² = 0.13) and did not significantly differ (η² = 0.009). These findings are encouraging regarding ESVP but require further replication. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).