Coping Styles and Defense Mechanisms Mediate Associations Between Exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences and CPTSD Symptoms in Faroese Adolescents.

Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) includes two distinct symptom clusters: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disturbances in self-organization (DSO), which may differ in manifestation, trajectories, and psychosocial impact. However, longitudinal studies remain limited. This study investigates the joint developmental trajectories of PTSD and DSO symptoms in emerging adults with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the influence of different ACE types. From a three-wave cohort of emerging adults assessed at two-year intervals, 2,063 individuals (58.5% male) who reported at least one ACE at baseline were included in the final analysis. Multiple-process growth mixture model was employed to identify distinct joint developmental trajectories of PTSD and DSO symptoms, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictive associations between different types of ACEs and trajectory membership. Three heterogeneous symptom trajectory groups of CPTSD were identified among emerging adults with histories of childhood adversity: the low-symptom group (n = 1,526, 73.7%), the increasing DSO and rebounding PTSD group (n = 113, 5.4%), and the moderate DSO and decreasing PTSD group (n = 424, 20.9%). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that physical abuse, emotional neglect, and parental incarceration were associated with a greater likelihood of belonging to the increasing DSO and rebounding PTSD group. In contrast, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and family mental illness were more strongly linked to membership in the moderate DSO and decreasing PTSD group. The results suggest the trajectories of CPTSD symptoms of college students with ACEs were heterogeneous. Different types of ACEs have varying predictive effects on CPTSD symptoms trajectories.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) during military service are associated with mental health problems. However, knowledge about relative contributions of these factors to non-U.S. women combat veterans' posttraumatic sequelae is sparse. This study examines associations between ACEs, combat exposure (CES), military sexual trauma (MST), potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and complex PTSD (CPTSD) symptoms among women veterans. A volunteer sample of Israeli women combat veterans (n = 885) and noncombat veterans (n = 728) responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional design study. Combat veterans reported higher total average ACEs and were more likely to experience three or more ACEs and specific ACEs of physical abuse and emotional neglect, as compared to noncombat veterans. Combat veterans also reported higher levels of CES, PMIEs, higher prevalence of MST, and higher levels of PTSD symptoms, but not CPTSD symptoms, as compared to noncombat veterans. Importantly, ACEs, CES, MST-assault, and PMIEs of betrayal predicted PTSD symptoms, while only ACEs and PMIEs of betrayal predicted CPTSD symptoms. This study emphasized the relatively high exposure to PTEs and PTSD symptoms of women combat veterans as compared to noncombat veterans. Our findings also confirm prior studies demonstrating associations between ACEs, CES, MST, and mental health problems. Importantly, we demonstrated the unique contribution of betrayal-based PMIEs and the differential associations of PTEs with PTSD and CPTSD symptoms among combat veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Although childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been well-researched in eating disorder epidemiology, prevalence rates are unavailable for complex PTSD (CPTSD). Under recently introduced ICD-11 criteria, individuals with CPTSD have both PTSD symptoms and additional disturbances in self-organization (DSO). Using ICD-11 criteria, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of PTSD and DSO symptoms, diagnostic rates of PTSD and CPTSD, and childhood trauma exposure in eating disorder treatment-seekers. Participants (N = 217) were individuals attending residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient services who completed measures of eating disorder- and trauma-related symptoms and childhood adverse experiences. One third of participants reported PTSD symptoms, and over half reported DSO symptoms, with probable ICD-11 diagnostic rates of 3.8% for PTSD and 28.4% for CPTSD. CPTSD was significantly more prevalent than PTSD and more common in higher levels of care. Both PTSD and DSO symptom severity were positively correlated with eating disorder symptoms and impairment, rs =.285-.642. DSO symptom severity was a significant and unique explanatory factor of eating disorder severity and impairment. The findings highlight the prevalence of CPTSD in eating disorder populations and the association between DSO symptoms and eating psychopathology independent of PTSD symptoms. Implications are discussed for adjunct treatment approaches for individuals with comorbid eating disorders and PTSD or CPTSD.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is common in childhood abuse survivors. Nonetheless, the relation between symptoms of BDD, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and complex PTSD, as well as the effects of different forms of childhood abuse in explaining these symptoms, remains unclear. This study explored (a) BDD scores as a function of childhood abuse; (b) the relationship between symptoms of BDD, PTSD, and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) in childhood abuse survivors; and (c) the effect of levels of different forms of childhood abuse on BDD, PTSD, and DSO symptoms. An online survey was conducted among a convenience sample of 404 Israeli adult women, of whom 53.7% (n = 217) were classified as having a history of childhood abuse. Background variables, BDD symptoms, and the classification and symptoms of PTSD and complex PTSD were assessed online via self-report measures. Results indicated elevated BDD scores in childhood abuse survivors and relationships between symptoms of BDD, PTSD, and DSO in childhood abuse survivors. Levels of emotional abuse served as a trans-diagnostic risk factor for PTSD, DSO, and BDD symptoms, whereas sexual abuse was associated with PTSD symptoms, and physical abuse had no significant effect. The strongest noncausal effect was found for PTSD and DSO symptoms, followed by BDD and DSO symptoms and BDD and PTSD symptoms. The present findings suggest that childhood abuse may be a risk factor for BDD and that trauma-related disorders and BDD are strongly associated in childhood abuse survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

BackgroundAdolescence is recognized as a particularly susceptible developmental period for experiencing multiple types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), increasing the vulnerability to higher levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD symptoms. Some studies found that defense mechanisms play an important role on the association between ACE and psychological symptoms.MethodsWe analyzed the associations between direct and indirect exposure to ACE and PTSD and Complex PTSD (affective dysregulation, negative self-concept and disturbances in relationships) through the mediation role of mature defense mechanisms: mature, neurotic, and immature defense mechanisms in Indian adolescents. A sample of 411 Indian adolescents (M = 14.2 years old; S.D. = 0.5) completed validated self-report questionnaires. Serial multiple mediation models were tested by conducting a structural equation modelling employing Preacher and Hayes’ procedures (2008).ResultsImmature and neurotic defense mechanisms mediated the association between direct exposure to ACE with PTSD symptoms. Immature defense mechanisms were mediators of the relationship between direct exposure to ACE and Complex PTSD symptoms clusters.ConclusionsMaladaptive defense mechanisms can disturb the process of self-regulation and emotion regulation capabilities in coping with traumatic experiences, leading to higher PTSD and Complex PTSD symptoms severity.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent and associated with common problems among adults with substance use disorders (SUDs), including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and compulsive behaviors. Most studies consider cumulative ACEs when examining their associations with health and behavioral outcomes. We tested whether patterns of ACEs related to SUD symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and compulsive behaviors among adults receiving treatment for substance use. We identified latent classes of ACEs using medical record data from 721 patients in residential SUD treatment and conducted Wald chi-square tests to assess whether these latent classes differed in alcohol and drug use disorder symptoms, PTSD symptoms, compulsive sexual behavior, and compulsive gambling. We identified four latent classes: high ACEs (15.1%), maltreatment (12.4%), household problems (22.3%), and low ACEs (49.1%). There were significant differences across latent classes in drug use disorder symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and compulsive sexual behavior, χ2(1, N = 721) = 37.42-107.07, ps <.001. Participants in the high ACEs and household problems classes had more drug use disorder symptoms than those in the low ACEs class. Relative to all other classes, individuals in the low ACEs class had the lowest PTSD symptoms and those in the high ACEs class had the highest PTSD symptoms. Findings indicate that adults with SUDs who have more ACEs have the highest risk for PTSD symptoms and compulsive sexual behavior. Screening for ACEs while considering ACE patterns and frequency may benefit treatment planning for SUD patients with comorbid concerns such as PTSD symptoms and compulsive sexual behavior.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are a robust risk factor for SI. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can increase the risk for SI in the context of PTSD symptoms. Social support has been shown to buffer the impact of ACEs on SI. The current study aimed to examine the interaction between benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs), ACEs, and PTSD symptoms on SI. We administered a questionnaire to 837 undergraduate students (M Age = 19.1; 88.3% White; 76.3% women). The three-way interaction between ACEs, BCEs, and PTSD symptoms on SI was significant, F(9,721) = 49.89, p < .001, and accounted for 38.38% of the variance in SI. The results of our study suggest that BCEs would weaken the relationship between PTSD symptoms and SI, regardless of ACE-level. These findings may inform future suicide research, prevention, and intervention efforts.

Symptoms of Acute Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Patients With Acute Hand Injuries

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase risk for negative health outcomes. The goal of this study was to examine the relationships among cumulative ACEs, ACEs type, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, PTSD symptom clusters, and physical health symptoms in a sample of women veterans (N = 76). Bivariate correlations were used to determine which ACE domains were associated with PTSD and physical health symptoms. Follow-up linear regressions indicated cumulative ACEs were significantly associated with total PTSD symptoms. Cumulative ACEs were also significantly associated with the avoidance and hyperarousal symptom clusters, but not the re-experiencing symptom cluster. Total PTSD symptoms were significantly related to physical health symptoms. Of the three symptom clusters, only hyperarousal was significantly associated with physical health symptoms. Cross-sectional mediation analyses indicated the total and direct effects of ACEs on physical health were not significant. However, the indirect effect through PTSD was significant (b = 0.46, [95% CI: 0.02, 0.91]), as well as through the avoidance (b = 0.47, [95% CI: 0.06, 0.90]), and hyperarousal symptom clusters (b = 0.56, [95% CI: 0.11, 1.04]). This study highlights the potential impact of ACEs on PTSD symptoms and physical health and suggests that hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD, may play a potential role in the development of physical health problems.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic childhood experiences that are associated with mental health issues such as Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). There is a lack of studies investigating resilience factors in individuals exposed to ACEs who may potentially develop CPTSD. Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) are positive childhood experiences that could potentially serve as protective or promotive factors for such individuals. The present study aimed to investigate if BCEs played the role of a 1) protective or 2) promotive factor in the development of CPTSD symptoms in adulthood among individuals exposed to ACEs. In addition, the individual components of CPTSD, namely Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Disturbances in Self Organization (DSO) symptoms, were investigated separately to better understand whether BCEs acted as a 1) protective or 2) promotive factor for these components. One hundred seventy-two university students from a psychology program in Singapore were recruited. The data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of covariance. We found trend-level evidence for BCEs as a moderator in the relationship between ACEs and CPTSD symptoms, as well as trend-level evidence for the main effect of BCEs on CPTSD symptoms. We found that BCEs moderated the relationship between ACEs and PTSD symptoms. Additionally, both ACEs and BCEs had significant main effects on DSO symptoms. These results suggests that high levels of BCEs may provide protective benefits for individuals exposed to substantial ACEs, potentially mitigating increases in PTSD symptoms. High levels of BCEs could reduce DSO symptoms regardless of the level of ACEs.

The link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative mental health outcomes is well established. However, the intergenerational link between caregiver ACE history and their child's psychosocial outcomes is understudied, particularly within minoritized groups. This study aimed to delineate relations between caregiver ACE exposure and their child's depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms by proposing a serial mediation of caregiver PTSD, family management problems, and child ACEs. Two hundred seventy-three caregiver (Mage = 39.27; 88% female) and adolescent (Mage = 14.26; 57% female) dyads from low-income urban communities completed electronic questionnaires measuring PTSD symptoms and ACEs. Child participants also completed a measure of depression and family management problems. Regression and serial mediation analyses were conducted to examine associations among these variables. Caregiver ACEs were significantly associated with their child's PTSD symptoms but were not related to their child's depression scores. Serial mediation analyses indicated that child ACEs mediated the relation between caregiver ACEs and their child's PTSD symptoms. Evidence for an overall indirect effect via caregiver PTSD, family management problems, and child ACEs was not found. No indirect effects between caregiver ACEs and child depression were found. Findings demonstrate that higher levels of caregiver ACE exposure are associated with their child's PTSD symptoms in a sample of African American dyads living in urban, high-burden communities. These results suggest a need for ACE screening during medical visits and provides guidance for future clinical interventions. The distinct intergenerational consequences for caregivers with ACEs and their children's psychosocial wellbeing warrant further study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

ObjectiveThis study aimed at testing the significance of mediating and moderating roles of sense of coherence, adaptive coping styles and social support in the relationship between exposure to trauma and...

Although many studies have differentiated complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), few studies have explored the differences in positive adaptation between the two. The present study aimed to determine whether there are distinctions between PTSD and CPTSD in hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. The present study used a Chinese young adult sample with childhood adversity experiences (n = 1451), including 508 males and 943 females, with an average age of 20.07 years (SD = 1.39). PTSD and CPTSD symptoms were measured by the International Trauma Questionnaire. Eudaimonic well-being was measured by the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and hedonic well-being, including life satisfaction and happiness, was assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the face scale. Analysis of variance showed that the CPTSD group had lower hedonic and eudaimonic well-being than the PTSD group. Moreover, hierarchical regression analysis showed that disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms in CPTSD were negatively associated with hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, while PTSD was positively associated with eudaimonic well-being. These findings indicate that the core symptoms of CPTSD might hinder individuals from living fulfilling lives. The positive association between eudaimonic well-being and PTSD symptoms may be a manifestation of posttraumatic growth. Based on the perspective of positive adaptation, these results provide new evidence of the importance of considering CPTSD as an independent diagnosis and suggest that future well-being interventions should be implemented in people with DSO symptoms.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms During the First Six Months After Traumatic Brain Injury

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship among personality (according to Cloninger’s psychobiological model), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, trait resilience and quality of life (QoL) in people who were exposed to the Kiss nightclub fire.Methods188 participants were assessed with the Posttraumatic Checklist–civilian version (PCL-C), the Resilience Scale (RS), the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Bref (WHOQOL-Bref), and the WHOQOL-100 Spirituality, religiousness, and personal beliefs (WHOQOL-100-SRPB). Data were analyzed in a dimensional approach, with correlation analysis, multiple linear regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with PCL-C, RS, and WHOQOL-Bref dimensions as dependent variables.ResultsMultiple linear regression showed that PTSD symptoms were predicted by harm avoidance (β = .34, p < .001), self-directedness (β = -.28, p < .01), and self-transcendence (β = .24, p < .01). Trait resilience was predicted by harm avoidance (β = -.38, p < .01), self-directedness (β = .20, p < .05), and self-transcendence (β = .18, p < .05). Also, PTSD symptoms had considerable negative effect on all dimensions of QoL. Self-transcendence was a positive predictor of subjective and spiritual QoL. SEM showed that QoL was predicted by PTSD symptoms (β = -.52, p < .001), trait resilience (β = .30, p < .001), cooperativeness (β = .135, p = 0.40), and self-directedness (β = .27, p < .01). The effect of self-directedness on QoL was mediated by PTSD symptoms and trait resilience. PTSD symptoms also mediated the relationship between trait resilience and QoL, and RS mediated the relationship of personality and PTSD symptoms.ConclusionThe study gives insights on prediction of PTSD severity, trait resilience and QoL from temperament and character traits, in a sample of people exposed to the Kiss nightclub fire. Harm avoidance was the most influent trait on PTSD symptoms and trait resilience. Self-directedness was the most import trait related to QoL, still that it was more related to PTSD severity than personality traits. Self-transcendence had positive effects on both PTSD symptoms and trait resilience, indicating a coping style that may coexist with psychopathology.