Event Centrality Research Articles

A multilevel factor analysis of the short form of the Centrality of Event Scale.

The Centrality of Event Scale (CES) has frequently been used to measure the degree to which positive and negative life events are perceived central to a person's identity and life story; and previous research suggests that individuals rate their most positive memory as more central compared to their most negative one. When comparing the centrality of two (or more) memories within individuals, one needs to ensure that the CES (or its short form) is equally valid for different types of events (i.e., positive and negative) as well as on different levels of analyses (i.e., on the between-person and the within-person level), pointing to the issue of measurement invariance. Three-hundred sixty-five adults (18-89 years of age) reported up to ten positive and up to ten negative autobiographical memories. For each memory reported, participants completed the seven-item short form of the CES, which measures three different components of centrality: Events can form a central component of identity (two items), a turning point in the life story (three items), and a reference point for everyday inferences (two items). Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we found a two-factor structure (Self-Perception and Life-Course) to fit the data best at both levels of analyses and for both positive and negative events. Strict measurement invariance could be applied for positive and negative events at between-person level and at within-person level. The two factors, which measure the impact of an event on either a person's self-perception or their (future) life course, were rated higher for positive compared to negative memories. This difference, however, was stronger for the self-perception factor. The present study provides a first examination of the factorial structure of the CES short form on two levels (within and between persons) as well as for two types of life events (positive and negative). Whereas, a unidimensional scale might be sufficient to measure the centrality of stressful or traumatic life events, a more fine-graded measure seems better suited to understand the different roles of positive and negative life events for a person's identity and life story.

Excitation function of thermal freeze-out parameters and their correlations from strange hadrons spectra in Au–Au collision at 54.4 GeV

We present a systematic study of Gold–Gold (Au–Au) collision system at 54.4 GeV conducted by the STAR Collaboration at RHIC. The transverse momentum spectra of the strange hadrons, namely KS0, Λ, Λ̄, Ξ̄+ and Ξ− are studied at mid-rapidity |y|<0.5 for seven centrality classes. We applied the blast wave model with Tsallis statistics (TBW) with two flow profiles (n0 = 1 and n0 = 2) in order to compare the results and to check the sensitivity of n0 to the freeze-out parameters. It is found that the TBW model with both the flow profiles can describe the particle spectra. In addition, the bulk properties in terms of kinetic freeze-out temperature (T0), transverse flow velocity (βT), the non-extensive parameter (q), the kinetic freeze-out volume (V), the mean transverse momentum (〈pT〉), and the multiplicity parameter (N0) are also extracted. All the parameters decrease with decreasing the event centrality, however, the non-extensive parameter q has the opposite behavior. There is an abrupt decrease seen in 0–5% to 30–40% centrality, while a slight decrease appears in 40–60% and 60–80% centrality in T0, βT, V, and 〈pT〉. On the other hand, the parameter q follows the same scenario with an opposite trend with centrality. T0 and 〈pT〉 are larger for massive particles while βT, q, V and N0 are larger for lighter particles. The larger T0 and 〈pT〉, and smaller βT, V, and q for the massive particles affirm that the heavy particles freeze-out early. Moreover, the multiple kinetic freeze-out and volume differential freeze-out scenarios are reported, as the former increase while the latter decrease with particle mass. In addition, T0, q, V, and N0 obtained from TBW model with n0 = 1 are compatible to that of n0 = 2. On the other hand, βT is slightly larger in n0 = 2, while 〈pT〉 is slightly larger in n0 = 1. Furthermore, we also reported some important correlations among the extracted parameters. Among these correlations, the positive correlation exist between T0 and βT, T0 and V, T0 and 〈pT〉, T0 and N0, βT and 〈pT〉, βT and V, βT and N0, V and N0, and 〈pT〉 and N0, while the negative correlation of T0 and q, and 〈pT〉 and q.

Unruliness and Exorbitance

Unruliness and Exorbitance

Early childhood memories of individuals convicted of sexual offences

ABSTRACT This study used innovative transdisciplinary methods to describe the nature and extent of early childhood memories recalled by 84 adults convicted of sexual offences. The timing of the memories, level of detail recalled and way memories were recollected were largely consistent with extant memory research. One important finding, however, was that more than 30% of our participants recalled particularly traumatic and distressing childhood experiences – a much higher proportion than previously observed in nonoffending samples. The extent to which these memories laid the foundation for subsequent emotional content and feature in the evolution of cognitive schemata is not yet well understood. With that in mind, we consider the implications of our findings for the event centrality in self-narratives. We recommend the inclusion of treatment modalities that maximise as yet unrecognised and undervalued narrative inclinations and story-telling abilities of a complicated population of individuals with rich lived experience that stands to benefit greatly from such approaches.

Persistence and Psychological Predictors of ICD-11 Complex PTSD: A Six-Month Longitudinal Study in Hong Kong

Recent studies showed that the ICD-11 C-PTSD is associated with considerable individual and social consequences. This study focused on the persistence and psychological predictors of C-PTSD. We analyzed longitudinal survey data from a sample of Hong Kong adults (N = 230) with an interval of approximately six months. Participants completed standardized self-report measures of C-PTSD and various psychological factors (including self-criticism, self-compassion, ruminative response, event centrality, and experiential avoidance) at both timepoints. Over 80% of participants with probable C-PTSD at baseline remained to meet the criteria for PTSD/C-PTSD at follow-up, while over 50% of participants with probable PTSD at baseline remitted at follow-up. Participants with probable C-PTSD were characterized by greater use of mental health services at both timepoints. Additionally, hierarchical multiple regression showed that, among a variety of psychological factors, experiential avoidance was the only significant predictor of PTSD (β = 0.271, p = .001) and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) (β = 0.200, p = .011) symptoms, after controlling for baseline symptom severity and treatment usage. This study shows that C-PTSD persists over time and its symptoms are predicted by experiential avoidance. More efforts are needed to prevent and address C-PTSD in the community. We also offer insights into the management of trauma-related disorders.

Judgments of Event Centrality as Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth and Post-Traumatic Stress after Infidelity: The Moderating Effect of Relationship Form

Infidelity, a betrayal within a romantic partnership, often violates a person’s core beliefs about themselves and their significant other and can influence the degree to which a person can feel safe in romantic relationships. Infidelity can also increase exposure to sexually transmitted diseases that can compromise physical and mental health. Therefore, infidelity can be judged as central to one’s identity and potentially traumatic, possibly triggering outcomes similar to other DSM-5 Criterion A traumas. The current research examines the contribution of centrality perceptions to the development of PTG and PTS post-infidelity. Bivariate regressions examined the relationships between the judged centrality of infidelity and PTG and PTS, respectively. Exploratory analyses considered the moderating role of relationship form (i.e., casually dating, exclusively dating, and engaged/married) on those relationships. In a sample of 177 adults, greater judgments of the centrality of infidelity were associated with both PTG and PTS. Results demonstrated a significant moderating effect of relationship form on the relationship between the centrality of infidelity and PTG but not between the centrality of infidelity and PTS. Moderation results demonstrated that if infidelity is considered central in a casually dating relationship, it is more strongly related to PTG than in other relationship forms. Considering infidelity as central may generate both beneficial and problematic post-traumatic outcomes. However, an early infidelity experience may provide increased opportunities for engagement in different behaviors in the future (e.g., selecting a different partner, setting different relational boundaries), which, in turn, may be more conducive to growth.

Does age matter in posttraumatic stress disorder? The effects of age, event centrality, and trauma type on trauma aftermath.

Does age matter in posttraumatic stress disorder? The effects of age, event centrality, and trauma type on trauma aftermath.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression after the 2018 Strasbourg Christmas Market terrorist attack: a comparison of exposed and non-exposed police personnel

ABSTRACT Background: Police personnel are among the first responders exposed to terrorist attacks, raising in number in the late decades. Due to their profession, they are also exposed to repetitive violence, increasing their vulnerability to PTSD and depression. Objective: Our study aims at comparing the prevalence of PTSD and depression, and the risk factors associated with these conditions among directly and indirectly exposed versus non-exposed police personnel during the Strasbourg Christmas Market terrorist attack. Method: Three months after the attack, participants completed a survey assessing their sociodemographic characteristics, occupational data, degree of exposure, sleep debt around the event, event centrality (CES), and three mental health conditions: PTSD (PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9), and suicide risk (yes/no questions). Results: A total of 475 police personnel responded to the questionnaire: 263 were exposed to the attack (182 of them directly) and 212 were non-exposed. Among directly exposed participants, the prevalences of partial and complete PTSD were 12.6 and 6.6%, and the prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression was 11.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed that direct exposure was associated with a higher risk of PTSD (OR = 2.98 [1.10–8.12], p = .03). Direct exposure was not associated with a higher risk of depression (OR = 0.40 [0.10–1.10], p = .08). A significant sleep debt after the event was not associated with a higher risk of later PTSD (OR = 2.18 [0.81–5.91], p = .13) but was associated with depression (OR = 7.92 [2.40–26.5], p < .001). A higher event centrality was associated with both PTSD and depression (p < .001). Conclusions: Police personnel directly exposed to the Strasbourg Christmas Market terrorist attack were at higher risk of PTSD but not depression. Efforts to prevent and treat PTSD should focus on directly exposed police personnel. However, general mental health should be monitored for every personnel member.

Production of Υ(nS) mesons in Pb+Pb and pp collisions at 5.02 TeV

A measurement of the production of vector bottomonium states, $\varUpsilon(\textrm{1S})$, $\varUpsilon(\textrm{2S})$, and $\varUpsilon(\textrm{3S})$, in Pb+Pb and $pp$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV is presented. The data correspond to integrated luminosities of 1.38~$\textrm{nb}^{-1}$ of Pb+Pb data collected in 2018, 0.44 $\textrm{nb}^{-1}$ of Pb+Pb data collected in 2015, and 0.26 $\textrm{fb}^{-1}$ of $pp$ data collected in 2017 by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are performed in the dimuon decay channel for transverse momentum $p_\textrm{T}^{\mu\mu} < 30$~ GeV, absolute rapidity $|y^{\mu\mu}|<1.5$, and Pb+Pb event centrality 0-80%. The production rates of the three bottomonium states in Pb+Pb collisions are compared with those in $pp$ collisions to extract the nuclear modification factors as functions of event centrality, $p_\textrm{T}^{\mu\mu}$, and $|y^{\mu\mu}|$. In addition, the suppression of the excited states relative to the ground state is studied. The results are compared with theoretical model calculations.

Event centrality of the COVID-19 outbreak and depressive symptoms in nurses and the general population: The mediating role of social connectedness

ABSTRACT The restrictions imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic had significant negative effects on the mental health of the general population, and particularly in nurses as frontline healthcare workers. The main goal of the present study was to analyze the direct and indirect effects, via social connectedness, of centrality of the COVID-19 outbreak on depressive symptoms. Furthermore, it is explored whether this association varied by group (nurses versus general population). The global sample included 326 individuals from the community and 316 nurses, who were administered self-reported questionnaires. Results revealed that event centrality of COVID-19 outbreak was linked to depressive symptoms, both directly and through the deterioration of social connectedness; moreover, this indirect effect was significant for both subsamples. Interventions aimed at preventing the deterioration of social connectedness may facilitate the decrease of depressive symptoms in the aftermath of the pandemic, particularly for nurses.

Tonic immobility (freezing) during sexual and physical assaults produces stronger memory effects than other characteristics of the assaults

ABSTRACT Tonic immobility (TI) is a phylogenetically conserved, passive, obligatory defense mechanism commonly engaged during sexual and physical assaults. During TI, people become immobile while remaining conscious and later reexperience intrusive memories of both their assault and of its accompanying immobility. Here we show that this well-studied biological process has powerful effects on memory and other processes. Participants had experienced either a serious sexual (n = 234) or physical (n = 137) assault. For both the assault and its accompanying immobility, the standard measure of the peritraumatic severity of TI correlated between .40 and .65 with post-assault effects on memory, including memory of the assault and memory of the immobility, the two memory-based self-concept measures of self-blame and event centrality, and post-assault anxiety and depression. The correlations with TI were much higher than other peritraumatic characteristics commonly used to predict and describe posttraumatic effects in assaults and other traumas. The results suggest that TI should be considered for a broader, more biologically based and ecologically valid understanding of the effects of trauma on memory and memory-based reactions.

Coherence of child maltreatment narratives by emerging adults: How does child maltreatment affect how we share our story?

AbstractIndividuals narrate stories to explain how they became who they are, forming their own narrative identity. Highly disruptive experiences such as child maltreatment (CM) may be challenging to integrate into the life story and even to narrate coherently just by themselves. To test these potential effects, we divided a total of 171 students at an English‐speaking university in Egypt into two groups, those with a history of CM and those who experienced none. We compared narratives of four different types of emotional childhood experiences. Narratives of CM were no less coherent than narratives of most stressful childhood experiences in the control group, but were more integrated into the life story, which in turn predicted symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study contributes to the literature by confirming that there is no evidence for a lack of coherence among adults' CM narratives, and by highlighting the association between the centrality of the traumatic event in one's life and PTSD symptoms.

Revisiting the Factor Structure of the Centrality of Event Scale.

Traumatic experiences that become self-defining impact posttraumatic outcomes, yet exact mechanisms are currently being studied. Recent research has used the Centrality of Event Scale (CES). However, the factor structure of the CES has been in question. We analyzed archival data (N = 318) split into homogenous groups of participants to examine whether the factor structure of the CES differed based on event type (bereavement vs. sexual assault) or by levels of PTSD (meeting clinical cut off score vs. group of lowest scorers). Exploratory factor analyses with subsequent confirmatory analyses revealed a single factor model in the bereavement group, sexual assault group, and the low PTSD group. A three-factor model emerged in the high PTSD group, with the factors' themes matching previous findings. Event centrality appears to be a universal theme when people endure and process a diversity of adverse events. These distinct factors may illuminate pathways in the clinical syndrome.

Low- pT direct-photon production in Au+Au collisions at sNN=39 and 62.4 GeV

The measurement of direct photons from Au+Au collisions at sNN=39 and 62.4 GeV in the transverse-momentum range 0.4<pT<3Gev/c is presented by the PHENIX collaboration at the BNLRelativistic Heavy Ion Collider. A significant direct-photon yield is observed in both collision systems. A universal scaling is observed when the direct-photon pT spectra for different center-of-mass energies and for different centrality selections at sNN=62.4 GeV is scaled with (dNch/dη)α for α=1.21±0.04. This scaling also holds true for direct-photon spectra from Au+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV measured earlier by PHENIX, as well as the spectra from Pb+Pb at sNN=2760 GeV published by ALICE. The scaling power α seems to be independent of pT, center of mass energy, and collision centrality. The spectra from different collision energies have a similar shape up to pT of 2 Gev/c. The spectra have a local inverse slope Teff increasing with pT of 0.174±0.018Gev/c in the range 0.4<pT<1.3Gev/c and increasing to 0.289±0.024Gev/c for 0.9<pT<2.1Gev/c. The observed similarity of low-pT direct-photon production from sNN=39 to 2760 GeV suggests a common source of direct photons for the different collision energies and event centrality selections, and suggests a comparable space-time evolution of direct-photon emission.9 MoreReceived 24 March 2022Accepted 21 October 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.107.024914©2023 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasPhoton, lepton & quark productionRelativistic heavy-ion collisionsTechniquesHadron collidersNuclear Physics

Upgrade of the BM@N detector for studies of heavy ion interactions

In the next years the Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron (BM@N) experiment at Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) will carry out the physics program with heavy ion beams with energies up to 3.9 AGeV and intensities up to 2 [Formula: see text] ions/s. The experiment is devoted to measure observables sensitive to the equation of state of dense baryonic matter. To meet this goal the existing BM@N set-up will be upgraded with fast hybrid tracking system, which includes beam tracking detectors, a large aperture silicon tracking system, gas electron multiplier stations and cathode strip chambers. The measurement of the event plane and centrality will be achieved with a forward hadron calorimeter and granular hodoscopes. The physics program and configuration of the upgraded BM@N set-up are presented.

Path to posttraumatic growth: The role of centrality of event, deliberate and intrusive rumination, and self blame in women victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.

Increased interest in positive changes in the aftermath of traumatic events led researchers to examine assumptions about the process of posttraumatic growth (PTG). However, existing studies often use samples from mixed trauma survivors and investigate separate factors and their associations with growth. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine the path from centrality of event to PTG involving intrusive and deliberate rumination and self-blame as a coping strategy in women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). The study sample consisted of 200 women with a history of IPV (ages 18-69, M = 44.79, SD = 12.94). Results of the path analysis indicated that higher centrality of event was related to higher levels of intrusive rumination which was positively related to self-blame and deliberate rumination eventually leading to PTG. Indirect effects from centrality of event to PTG through intrusive and deliberate rumination, and from intrusive to deliberate rumination through self-blame were examined. This study gave support to some theoretical assumptions of the process of PTG and pointed out problematic areas of investigation of coping strategies in this process.

Event centrality and posttraumatic stress symptoms after traumatic injury: A longitudinal investigation.

The development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) can occur following a traumatic injury, which may include an increase in negative cognitions. One cognitive construct shown to be associated with the development of PTSS is event centrality, or the degree to which an individual views a traumatic experience as central to their life story. Although cross-sectional work has demonstrated a robust connection between event centrality and PTSS, the directionality of this association remains unclear. Most previous work has investigated centrality as a predictor of PTSS, although one recent study suggests that PTSS may, in fact, predict event centrality. The current longitudinal study enrolled adult civilian participants (N = 191) from a Level 1 trauma center following a traumatic injury and assessed both event centrality and PTSS at three points posttrauma (3, 12, and 18 months). A time-constrained random intercept cross-lagged panel analysis showed that PTSS predicted event centrality over the 18-month follow-up period, B = 0.16, p = .021, but event centrality did not predict PTSS, B = -0.27, p = .340. These findings suggest that the development of PTSS following trauma exposure may lead to the perception of the traumatic event as central to an individual's story over time. Further longitudinal research is necessary to determine what variables may influence the connection between PTSS and event centrality.

Event centrality and conflict-related sexual violence: A new application of the Centrality of Event Scale (CES)

Event centrality and conflict-related sexual violence: A new application of the Centrality of Event Scale (CES)

Event centrality and conflict-related sexual violence: A new application of the Centrality of Event Scale (CES)

Berntsen and Rubin’s Centrality of Event Scale (CES) has been used in many different studies. This interdisciplinary and exploratory article is the first to apply the scale and to analyse event centrality in the context of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). It draws on a research sample of 449 victims-/survivors of CRSV in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Colombia and Uganda. Existing research on event centrality has mainly focused on the concept’s relationship with post-traumatic stress disorder and/or post-traumatic growth. This article, in contrast, does something new, by examining associations between high event centrality, resilience, well-being and experienced consequences of CRSV, as well as ethnicity and leadership. Its analyses strongly accentuate crucial contextual dimensions of event centrality, in turn highlighting that the concept has wider implications for policy and interventions aimed at supporting those who have suffered CRSV. Ultimately, the article juxtaposes event centrality with a ‘survivor-centred approach’ to CRSV, using the former to argue for a reframing of the latter. This reframing means giving greater attention to the social ecologies (environments) that shape legacies of sexual violence in conflict.

Trauma exposure and short-term volitional personality trait change.

Research into post-traumatic growth (PTG) finds individuals report positive changes in their identity, relationships, and worldviews after trauma. In a pre-registered 16-week longitudinal study, we examined trait change after recent trauma exposure to test an operationalization of PTG as positive personality change. We examined the influence of intrapersonal and social factors including motivation to change traits, perceived social support, and event centrality. Participants (n=1004) reported on trauma exposure in past 1-month, centrality of each traumatic event, and social support. Participants with trauma exposure (n=146) and a matched control group reported on their traits in 8 waves at 2-week intervals, and motivation to change traits in 3 waves. Although some trait change was observed, it was not consistent with PTG. We found agreeableness declined in the trauma relative to the control group among participants who did not want to change in this trait. Conscientiousness declined for individuals with highly central traumas. Social support predicted increases in emotional stability, conscientiousness, and openness but only for individuals in the control group. We discuss the value of defining PTG as positive trait change and suggest future directions including assessment of facet-level changes and ideographic methods.