AP Research Week 5: Final Week And Presentations

Hi everyone, I hope you are all doing well.

This is the final week before the AP Research presentation and paper submission. Last week I outlined some implications of my results and how they changed my overall perception of my project. Since this week I will only be preparing to present my findings and submit my paper, I want to outline some future research after this.

So, in terms of future research, I am working with the Wounded Warrior Project to distribute the screener with a PTSD symptom checklist to a wider audience of 23,000 vets, in order to generate more data to confirm the correlations I’ve already found and to validate the screener. Data collection is expected to start in Mid-May and results will be most likely around June.

Once validated by more data, the screener could help clinical trial researchers do better patient recruitment among veterans. Use of it as a patient recruitment tool can also then be evaluated. Finally, future research should be conducted between the two different types of EAT: PATH and EAGALA. Due to their differences in treatment approach, it may benefit veterans in different ways. Potentially, I can see recommending PATH for vets who are extremely uncomfortable talking, and EAGALA for those not ready for the level of talking and confrontation in CPT or PE but opened to some talking.

Overall, this screener tool has the potential to assist both researchers and mental health professionals recognize the benefits of alternate psychotherapies and overall help more veterans receive treatment earlier.

I’ve enjoyed recounting my struggles and successes with my project and hope you all also have success with your projects. Until next time, Oliver Kuo