1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«Les deux premiers manuscrits de cette thèse [par articles] présentent le rationnel, la méthodologie et les résultats d’un essai clinique examinant l’efficacité de la thérapie de la reconsolidation pour le traitement du trouble de l’adaptation découlant d’une trahison amoureuse. [Le troisième manuscrit] présente une enquête qualitative sur l’expérience de la trahison amoureuse chez les individus ayant un trouble de l’adaptation.» (p. ii)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«The primary hypothesis [of the first article] predicts a significant effect of treatment for reducing event-related stress symptoms on the patient-rated Impact of Event Scale-Revised in an intention-to-treat analysis.» (p. 30) In the second article, the authors predict «that compared to a no-treatment waitlist control, reconsolidation therapy would significantly reduce event-related stress symptoms and general psychological distress. [They] also explored the effects of treatment on quality of life.» (p. 59) The two research questions are as follow: «What is the meaning and experience of romantic betrayal? [And to] what extent do romantically betrayed individuals identify with an emotional memory framework of event-related distress as an explanatory model of symptoms and treatment?» (p. 93)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
Participants of this study are «18-65 years old treatment-seekers with a DSM-5 […] adjustment disorder diagnosis stemming from a non-life-threatening betrayal event that occurred within the context of a longstanding (≥ 6 months) exclusive romantic relationship. (p. 36)
«Thirteen participants who completed the larger trial were interviewed using the McGill Illness Narrative Interview.» (p. i)

Instruments :
- Questionnaires
- Guide d’entretien semi-directif
- Grille d’observation

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

Results suggest «that romantic partner betrayal may precipitate an adjustment disorder in the injured party, characterized by event-related stress symptoms (intrusions, avoidance, increased vigilance), depression, anxiety, and functional impairment. Compared to a waitlist control condition, reconsolidation therapy using propranolol significantly attenuated adjustment disorder symptoms among relationally betrayed individuals. Results [support] the continued investigation of this treatment for stressor-related psychiatric symptoms rooted in the experience of negative and distressing life events.» (p. 56) The author «advances the notion that romantic partner betrayal can be experienced as a shocking event leading to debilitating stress-related symptoms including intrusive thoughts and memories, avoidance, negative changes in worldviews, dysphoric mood, and anxiety in some injured individuals. Further, many affected individuals may face difficulties in identifying their symptoms, which may prolong distress. Results from this study suggest that incorporating emotional memory-based theories of event-related stress symptoms and their treatment in clinical practice may improve outcome for suffering individuals.» (p. 89)