The role of intelligence in PTSD treatment outcomes: evidence from a multicenter TF-CBT trial with youth.

Randomized trialChild and adolescent psychiatry and mental health· Jul 2026

The role of intelligence in PTSD treatment outcomes: evidence from a multicenter TF-CBT trial with youth.

Sabrina Berardi, Hanna Christiansen, Sebastian Deutscher … Regina Steil

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Anxiety, OCD & TraumaRandomized trialClinical practiceQ1IF 4.8

Higher intelligence quotient linked to greater posttraumatic stress disorder symptom reduction with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, caregiver-reported

The role of intelligence in PTSD treatment outcomes: evidence from a multicenter TF-CBT trial with youth.

Sabrina Berardi … Regina Steil

Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health · Jul 2026 · Q1 in Psychiatry

Background

Cognitive ability has been linked to posttraumatic stress disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) vulnerability and may influence trauma-focused treatment response, yet its role in youth Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) outcomes remains unclear.

Methods

Data came from N = 320 youth aged 5-21 years from a randomized clinical effectiveness trial.

n = 320

Results

r = -.17

higher intelligence quotient predicted smaller caregiver-rated symptom drops

n = 320

More results

Mean intelligence quotient was M = 97.41 (SD = 13.19, range = 51-138).

Posttraumatic stress disorder severity was high at baseline (M = 34.21, SD = 8.09) and decreased substantially (ΔCATS-2 T1 ₋ T0 youth report: M = -17.54, SD = 12.34; Cohen's d paired = 1.42).

More results

In regressions, intelligence quotient was not a significant predictor in the youth-report model (β = -.10, p = .077), while a small effect remained in the caregiver-report model (β = -.15, p = .011).

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Conclusion

Baseline severity and treatment satisfaction at post-treatment showed stronger associations with symptom change and dropout than intelligence quotient.

The role of intelligence in PTSD treatment outcomes: evidence from a multicenter TF-CBT trial with youth.

The role of intelligence in PTSD treatment outcomes: evidence from a multicenter TF-CBT trial with youth.

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