European Journal of Psychotraumatology

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life in Europe and globally. The pandemic affects both individuals and the broader society across many domains, including physical and psychological health, the economy and general welfare. The measures taken to counteract the pandemic have significantly altered daily life and, along with the threat of contracting the coronavirus and uncertainties surrounding future developments, created a complex system of stressors with a negative impact on public mental health. This paper aims to outline the ESTSS strategy to address mental health issues related to COVID-19 and focuses on (1) trauma-informed policies, (2) capacity building, (3) collaborative research and (4) knowledge-exchange. To facilitate implementation of a trauma-informed approach and appropriate measures, ESTSS has developed a toolkit of recommendations on mental health and psychosocial assistance to be provided during the different phases of crisis and its aftermath. To promote capacity building, ESTSS offers a certification programme based on a curriculum in psychotraumatology and corresponding on-line training to the European community of mental health professionals. To assure evidence-based approaches and methods tailored to current circumstances, ESTSS has initiated a pan-European research project with international cooperation aimed at studying the mental health consequences of the pandemic, with a focus on psychological trauma and other stress-related reactions. To foster knowledge-exchange, the European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT), the official journal of ESTSS, is publishing a special issue on COVID-19.

This article outlines a personal reflection of experiences within the field of traumatic stress, especially in relation to specific events, which affected the author's professional life. Conclusions for further challenges for European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) are delineated. ESTSS's role in the global network of traumatic stress societies is discussed. This is a personal view of Brigitte Lueger-Schuster, president of ESTSS on behalf of the 20th birthday of ESTSS.

It is 10 years ago that the European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT) was launched. This was celebrated with a one day symposium on 1 February 2021 with all EJPT’s editors presenting on the state of the art developments in the field of psychotraumatology. The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) is proud to have all these speakers together sharing their knowledge on a range of topics within the field of psychotraumatology, from genetics to clinical practice. In this editorial the programme with the presentations is presented, including links to both to short summaries of the lectures and to the online session itself. In line with the Open Access format of the journal, access to the symposium content is free of charge and thus available to all around the world without barriers.

The title of this editorial conveys one of the challenges for the launch of the European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT) by the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS): Abstracts of every article will appear in the major languages represented in our title. In adopting such a policy, EJPT and the ESTSS show they have faced the challenge head on and succeeded by virtue of adopting this policy in accommodating the needs of their intended readership. As well, while all articles will appear in English, authors may choose to also submit their paper in their own language, which will be made accessible as supplementary material directly from the English version. (Published: 6 December 2010) Citation: European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2010, 1 : 5746 - DOI: 10.3402/ejpt.v1i0.5746

The European Journal of Psychotraumatology, owned by the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), launched as one of the first full Open Access ‘specialist’ journals in its field. Has this Open Access model worked in how the Journal has performed? With the European Journal of Psychotraumatology celebrating its ten-year anniversary we look back at the past decade of sharing our research with the world and with how the journal sits with the broader movement beyond Open Access to Open Research and we present new policies we have adopted to move the field of psychotraumatology to the next level of Open Research. While we as researchers now make our publications more often freely available to all, how often do we share our protocols, our statistical analysis plans, or our data? We all gain from more transparency and reproducibility, and big steps are being made in this direction. The journal’s decennial performance as well as the exciting new Open Research developments are presented in this editorial. The journal is no longer in its infancy and eager to step into the next decade of Open Research.

Roderick J Ørner, who was President between 1997 and 1999, traces the phoenix-like origins of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) from an informal business meeting called during the 1st European Conference on Traumatic Stress (ECOTS) in 1987 to its emergence into a formally constituted society. He dwells on the challenges of tendering a trauma society within a continent where trauma has been and remains endemic. ESTSS successes are noted along with a number of personal reflections on activities that give rise to concern for the present as well as its future prospects. Denial of survivors’ experiences and turning away from survivors’ narratives by reframing their experiences to accommodate helpers’ theory-driven imperatives are viewed with alarm. Arguments are presented for making human rights, memory, and ethics core elements of a distinctive European psycho traumatology, which will secure current ESTSS viability and future integrity.

International researchers and clinicians with an interest in psychotrauma joint at the 13th meeting of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) in 2013, in Bologna, Italy. In this cluster, we present a selected set of papers based on (preconference) workshops or symposia held in addition to a symposium organised by the ISTSS with experts on disaster psychosocial care, in collaboration with ESTSS. (Published: 20 December 2013) Citation: European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2013, 4 : 23582 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v4i0.23582 This paper is part of the cluster ' Invited papers 13th European Conference on Traumatic Stress '. More papers for this cluster can be found here .

The purpose of this study was to examine factors predicting the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms after a traumatic event, the 1991 Oakland/Berkeley firestorm. The major predictive factors of interest were dissociative, anxiety, and loss of personal autonomy symptoms reported in the immediate aftermath of the fire; contact with the fire; and life stressors before and after the fire. Subjects were recruited from several sources so that they would vary in their extent of contact with the fire. Of 187 participants who completed self-report measures about their experiences in the aftermath of the firestorm, 154 completed a follow-up assessment. Of these 154 subjects, 97% completed the follow-up questionnaires 7-9 months after the fire. The questionnaires included measures of posttraumatic stress and life events since the fire. Dissociative and loss of personal autonomy symptoms experienced in the fire's immediate aftermath, as well as stressful life experiences occurring later, significantly predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms measured 7-9 months after the firestorm by a civilian version of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Impact of Event Scale. Dissociative symptoms more strongly predicted posttraumatic symptoms than did anxiety and loss of personal autonomy symptoms. Intrusive thinking differs from other kinds of posttraumatic symptoms in being related directly to the trauma and previous stressful life events. These findings suggest that dissociative symptoms experienced in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic experience and subsequent stressful experiences are indicative of risk for the later development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Such measures may be useful as screening procedures for identifying those most likely to need clinical care to help them work through their reactions to the traumatic event and to subsequent stressful experiences.

Throughout history, individuals and societies have faced traumatic experiences such as wars, natural disasters, fires, forced migrations, economic crises, and distressing events. These experiences have profoundly impacted individual and collective life, creating a multidisciplinary process with psychological, biological, and social dimensions. 1,2,3 Today, the evolving perspective on the impacts of trauma has fostered a new awareness regarding the importance of healing these effects and providing sustainable mental health services. 4 However, it is not yet possible to assert that the number of scientific studies and the accumulation of data in this field are sufficient. This gap represents a significant limitation, responsibilities, and challenges for researchers and clinicians working on psychological trauma. 5 Psychological trauma has a wide range of effects, from individual psychology to social memory and sociological dynamics. While it leaves deep marks on individuals, it can also shape the social structure and collective consciousness of societies. Therefore, scientific research is of great importance in understanding the biological, psychological and sociological dimensions of trauma and contributing to healing processes. The neurobiological basis, epigenetic mechanisms, and psychosocial effects of traumatic stress are among the most important research topics in psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience today. 5 In this context, trauma-focused therapies, pharmacological interventions, psychoeducation programs, and psychosocial support approaches form the basis of trauma research on treatment processes. 7 Additionally, systematic documentation of cases, collection of epidemiological data, identification of risk factors, and evaluation of treatment efficacy will contribute significantly to both national and international literature. 4 The Turkish Journal of Traumatic Stress aims to contribute to this process and serve as a reference source for professionals working in the field of trauma. The prevalence of traumatic processes in Turkey, as well as all over the world, brings responsibilities and challenges for professionals working in this field, as well as the opportunity to understand those affected by trauma, to learn about trauma, and ultimately to help those affected by trauma recover. In this context, we are thrilled to launch the Turkish Journal of Traumatic Stress as a publication platform focusing on the scientific foundations, treatment approaches, and societal dimensions of trauma. Our journal aims to bring together theoretical, clinical, and experimental studies on trauma and traumatic stress, contributing to both national and international literature. As the first academic journal in this field in Turkey, we are committed to creating a reliable scientific platform for academics and clinicians working on trauma. With our inaugural issue, we emphasize that this journey is not merely an academic endeavour but also a responsibility to guide the treatment of individuals affected by trauma—rebuilding trust, making sense of traumatic experiences, and reconnecting individuals with life. 1,6 The Turkish Journal of Traumatic Stress will publish not only theoretical studies but also clinical research, randomized controlled trials, case reports, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Key focus areas include examining the efficacy of psychological trauma and traumatic stress-related disorders treatment methods, developing new treatment protocols, evaluating post-trauma recovery processes, and identifying protective factors.5 We also aim to provide a platform for sharing current research and scientific advancements in the field of psychological trauma and traumatic stress. As we embark on this journey, we emphasize the value of all scientific work in the field of traumatic stress. Documenting cases, conducting rigorous research, and sharing findings are crucial for the future of traumatic stress and related disorders treatment. As the Turkish Journal of Traumatic Stress, we invite all our colleagues to join us in this academic endeavor and contribute to this collective effort. The articles featured in our inaugural issue contribute to unravelling the complex nature of trauma, highlighting the long-term effects of childhood trauma, and offering guidance on treatment approaches. We extend our gratitude to everyone who has joined us in this new journey and invite further contributions to the academic literature. Moreover, we remind our readers that our journal aims not only to provide academic knowledge but also to serve as a source of hope. Each article should resonate like a song on the path to healing; every finding should contribute to the effort of reconstructing lost meaning. Because we believe that trauma treatment begins with respecting, listening to, and understanding the individual's story, not just techniques. We are at the beginning of this journey. Like every beginning, we carry great excitement and responsibility. As we follow the traces of traumatic stress, we will walk together toward the light of healing. Because we know that no matter how deep the trauma, the power of solidarity, scientific effort, and academic knowledge is always greater.

The inconsistent implementation of evidence-based practice has become a significant concern in the traumatic stress field. The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) has played a major role in highlighting this issue and has contributed to a number of European initiatives to improve dissemination and implementation. Key initiatives include the introduction of the ESTSS General Certificate in Psychotrauma Psychotraumatology and the European Network for Traumatic Stress (TENTS); these are discussed in this paper.

The development of traumatic stress studies during the past decades has much profited from professionals from the United States and from Europe. However, these professional societies, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) still struggle to find an equal common pathway. This is a personal retrospective view of Berthold Gersons, past president of ESTSS on behalf of the 20th anniversary of ESTSS.

Background During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the people in Europe are exposed to self-isolation, quarantine, job loss, risk of contracting COVID-19, or grief of loved ones. Such a complex array of stressors may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder. This research protocol describes a study launched by the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on symptoms of adjustment disorder across European countries. Objective The longitudinal online cohort study aims (1) to explore psychosocial reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic across ten European countries; (2) to examine the relationships between risk and resilience factors, stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the pandemic; and (3) to investigate whether these relationships are moderated by coping behaviours. Method In ten countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden), between 1,000 and 2,000 participants will be recruited, depending on the size of the country. Participants will be assessed at two timepoints with a six-month interval. Following a conceptual framework based on the WHO’s social framework of health, an assessment of risk and resilience factors, COVID-19 related stressors and pandemic-specific coping behaviours will be measured to estimate their contribution to symptoms of adjustment disorder. The Adjustment Disorder New Module 8 (ADNM-8) will be used to assess symptoms of adjustment disorder. As a secondary measure, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder will be measure using the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). Data analysis The relative contribution of risk factors, resilience factors, and stressors on symptoms of adjustment disorder or symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder will be estimated using multilevel analysis. To determine the moderating effects of different types of coping behaviours on these relationships, a multilevel mediation analysis will be carried out.

The aim of this study was to confirm and extend the authors' previous work indicating that symptoms of traumatic grief are predictors of future physical and mental health outcomes. The study group consisted of 150 future widows and widowers interviewed at the time of their spouse's hospital admission and at 6-week and 6-, 13-, and 25- month follow-ups. Traumatic grief was measured with a modified version of the Grief Measurement Scale. Mental and physical health outcomes were assessed by self-report and interviewer evaluation. Survival analysis and linear and logistic regressions were used to determine the risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes posed by traumatic grief. Survival and regression analyses indicated that the presence of traumatic grief symptoms approximately 6 months after the death of the spouse predicted such negative health outcomes as cancer, heart trouble, high blood pressure, suicidal ideation, and changes in eating habits at 13- or 25-month follow-up. The results suggest that it may not be the stress of bereavement, per se, that puts individuals at risk for long-term mental and physical health impairments and adverse health behaviors. Rather, it appears that psychiatric sequelae such as traumatic grief are of critical importance in determining which bereaved individuals will be at risk for long-term dysfunction.

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Traumatic stress can have severe consequences for both mental and physical health. Furthermore, both psychological and biological traces of trauma increase as a function of accumulating traumatic experiences. Neurobiological research may aid in limiting the impact of traumatic stress, by leading to advances in preventive and treatment interventions. To promote the possibility for clinical implementation of novel research findings, this brief review describes timely conceptual and methodological challenges and directions in neurobiological trauma research on behalf of the Task Force “Neurobiology of Traumatic Stress” of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS). The most important conceptual challenges are the heterogeneity of disorders and existence of subtypes across diagnostic categories: differential latent profiles and trajectories regarding symptom expression and neural correlates are being unraveled; however, similar latent classes’ approaches for treatment response and neurobiological data remain scarce thus far. The key to improving the efficacy of currently available preventive interventions and treatments for trauma-related disorders lies in a better understanding and characterization of individual differences in response to trauma and interventions. This could lead to personalized treatment strategies for trauma-related disorders, based on objective information indicating whether individuals are expected to benefit from them. The most important methodological challenge identified here is the need for large consortia and meta-analyses or, rather, mega-analyses on existent data as a first step. In addition, large multicenter studies, combining novel methods for repeated sampling with more advanced statistical modeling techniques, such as machine learning, should aim to translate identified disease mechanisms into molecular blood-based biomarker combinations to predict disorder vulnerability and treatment responses.