Self-reported change versus changed self-report: Contradictory Findings of an Evaluation of a Treatment Program for War Veterans Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Self-Report (SR) measures are widely used in the evaluation of therapeutic interventions. The limitations of such measures have been only partly recognized. This article reports on the evaluation of a treatment program for war veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in which a battery of SR measures was applied. The repeated administration of SR instruments showed no improvement, even some deterioration, in symptoms and social functioning. These outcomes conflict with the evaluation of the program by participants and therapists. Various interpretations of the conflicting findings are offered, among them the possible direct effects of treatment on responses to SR instruments. These effects may distort the true impact of the treatment on the subjects' behaviors and well-being.