Are PTSD treatment choices and treatment beliefs related to depression symptoms and depression-relevant treatment rationales?

•Depression symptoms were associated with likelihood to select combination PTSD treatment.•In trauma-exposed sample, depression rationales × depression symptoms predicted PE beliefs.•Depression rationales × depression symptoms did not significantly predict sertraline beliefs.

Given high rates of depression and low rates of treatment utilization among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we examined how depression symptoms impact PTSD treatment beliefs and preference (prolonged exposure (PE), sertraline, or PE plus sertraline). We also examined whether PTSD treatment rationales tailored to individuals with symptoms of depression impact PTSD treatment preference/beliefs. Undergraduates (N = 439) were given an “imagine self” scenario where they either had symptoms of PTSD or PTSD and depression in the future. Trauma-exposed community members (N = 203) reported their own PTSD and depression symptoms. All participants watched standardized treatment rationales for PE and sertraline that were systematically manipulated to include information on depression or not. Across both samples, depression symptoms were associated with significantly increased odds of selecting combination treatment relative to PE alone. For those in the community sample who received the depression-relevant treatment rationale, higher depression symptoms were associated with significantly greater PE credibility and more positive reactions toward PE. Taken together, depression may be associated with a greater preference for combination treatment. However, treatment providers may be able to improve treatment beliefs about PE by offering a treatment rationale that explains that PE tends to help improve symptoms of PTSD and depression.