Experience Of Traumatic Events Research Articles

Factors Related to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses

PurposeTo identify the factors affecting the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. The variables include event experiences, cognitive flexibility, and co-worker support. MethodsA survey was conducted among 153 ICU nurses working in a general hospital or an advanced general hospital. The questionnaire was completed between October and December 2018, and 153 copies were used for the final analysis. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to determine the factors associated with PTSD symptoms among ICU nurses. ResultsThe level of PTSD symptoms of ICU nurses was 1.20±0.82 out of 4. Full PTSD, signified by a total score of 25 or more, was reported by 45.1% of the study's 153 participants. The significant influencing factors of PTSD symptoms among ICU nurses were the “experience of traumatic events”, “trusted alliance”, which is a sub-area of “coworker support,” and both “control” and “alternative”, which are sub-areas of “cognitive flexibility.” The explanatory power (49.8%) was statistically significant. ConclusionThese results suggest that a program to enhance the cognitive flexibility and coworker support of ICU nurses needs to be developed to reduce the PTSD symptoms of ICU nurses.

A conceptual framework on pre- and post-displacement stressors: the case of Syrian refugees.

Researchers have documented multiple stressors and mental health problems along the journey of refugees as they are displaced to seek refuge in nearby and remote host countries. This article examines published research on Syrian refugees to propose a framework to conceptualize Syrian refugees' pre- and post-stressors and their collective impact on their mental health. The proposed framework provides a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected pathways between pre-displacement stressors, post-displacement stressors, and mental health outcomes for Syrian refugees. Pre-displacement stressors are best captured by the concept of trauma centrality and emotional suppression. Post-displacement stressors, categorized under financial, political, and social themes, have a direct impact on the mental health of the refugees, but could also play a partial mediating role on the impact of pre-displacement stressors on mental health. The framework suggests a direct pathway between the experience of war-related traumatic events and mental health and introduces the country of residence as a potential moderator of the severity of mental health. The latter is primarily influenced by local policies and the host communities' acceptance of refugees. We believe that the proposed framework can guide the work of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners concerned with the mental health and well-being of Syrian refugees. Additionally, although based on the experience of Syrian refugees, it presents a holistic perspective that could be adapted in other refugee settings.

Turning pain into strength: prosocial behaviours in coping with trauma

ABSTRACT Background: Various coping strategies have been shown to alleviate the negative effects of trauma, yet the significance of prosocial behaviour in this realm has been notably underexplored. The present study explored the hypothesis that engaging in prosocial behaviour mitigates the impacts of trauma by promoting a sense of competence and relatedness, post-traumatic growth (PTG), and reconstruction of meaning. Methods: Three consecutive studies were conducted with college students to compare differences in consequence of prosocial behaviours between a trauma group and a control group. Study 1 (N = 96) used self-reported experiences of traumatic vs non-traumatic events; Study 2 (N = 43) used exposure vs. no exposure to video of an earthquake; Study 3 (N = 20) used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a prosocial-themed intervention vs. no intervention. Outcomes in all studies were assessed by self-report questionnaires. Results: Trauma damaged participants’ sense of competence and meaningfulness. Prosocial behaviour relieved the impact of trauma on meaning, specifically manifested in the individuals' sense of meaningfulness and their search for meaning. Group interventions with a prosocial theme (based on effect size results) reduced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and enhanced PTG in victims. The promoting effect on PTG persisted a month later, and its enhancing effect on meaning manifested with a delay. Conclusion: Prosocial behaviour can potentially serve as a beneficial strategy for individuals coping with trauma because it helps enhance meaning and promotes PTG in victims. This conclusion is supported by laboratory experiments and a tentative small-scale intervention study, which provide an innovative perspective for future trauma interventions.

The experience of traumatic events, psychological distress, and social support: links to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and trends with age in a group of older Australians

BackgroundVaccination is important to reduce disease-associated morbidity and mortality in an ageing global population. While older adults are more likely than younger adults to accept vaccines, some remain hesitant. We sought to understand how traumatic events, psychological distress and social support contribute to older adults’ intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and whether these experiences change with age.MethodsWe analysed survey data collected as part of the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study in a population of Australian adults aged 60 years and over. Data were derived from the COVID Insights study; a series of supplementary surveys about how participants experienced the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsHigher intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine was associated with greater social support (adjusted odds ratio (aOR):1.08; 95%CI:1.06–1.11; p <.001) while lower intention was associated with personally experiencing a serious illness, injury or assault in the last 12 months (aOR:0.79; 95% CI:0.64–0.98; p =.03). Social support and the experience of traumatic events increased significantly with age, while psychological distress decreased.ConclusionsThere may be factors beyond disease-associated risks that play a role in vaccine acceptance with age. Older Australians on the younger end of the age spectrum may have specific needs to address their hesitancy that may be overlooked.

Traumatic perinatal events and educational needs of labor and delivery room nurses in Korea: a cross-sectional survey.

The present study investigated experiences of traumatic perinatal events, the provision of related education, and educational needs of nurses working in the labor and delivery room (LDR). Nurses working in the LDRs of six institutions and two nurse portal sites were invited to participate in the survey, delivered on paper or online. The data were collected from October 1 to November 25, 2022. Data from 129 nurses were analyzed using frequency, the chi-square test, the Fisher exact test, the t-test, and analysis of variance. Virtually all participants (98.6%) reported having experienced at least one traumatic perinatal event (dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal congenital anomalies, severe maternal or neonatal injury, stillbirth, and maternal or neonatal death) while working in the LDR. The most shocking traumatic perinatal event experienced was the maternal or neonatal death (40.3%), but 24.8% of participants did not recall ever receiving education on the topic. About 63% of participants experienced traumatic perinatal events within a year of working in the LDR. The average score for education needs regarding traumatic perinatal events was 3.67±0.37 out of 4, and participants preferred simulation education as the most effective educational method. Since most of the participants had experienced various traumatic perinatal events in the early stages of working in the LDR and expressed a high level of need for education on traumatic perinatal events, it is necessary to provide more effective stimulation education programs in the early period of work in the LDR.

Screening for symptoms of childhood traumatic stress in the primary care pediatric clinic

BackgroundChildhood traumatic experiences may result in post-traumatic stress disorder. Although pediatricians are encouraged to address these traumas in clinical encounters, measures of childhood traumatic stress have not been adopted by primary care clinicians. In this study, we describe the feasibility and potential utility of the UCLA Brief Screen, a validated screener for childhood traumatic stress symptoms, in pediatric primary care clinics.MethodsChildren 6–17 years of age presenting for routine well-child care in community-based pediatric clinics were eligible for traumatic stress screening. We described the feasibility and acceptability of screening based on screener adoption by eligible pediatric clinicians. We assessed the potential utility of screening based on prevalence and distribution of potentially traumatic events and traumatic stress symptoms in this general pediatric population. Finally, we compared results of the UCLA Brief Screen with those of the Patient Health Questionnaire-A to evaluate associations between symptoms of traumatic stress, depression, and suicidality among adolescents in this community setting.Results14/18 (77.8%) pediatric clinicians in two clinics offered an adapted UCLA Brief Screen during 2359/4959 (47.6%) eligible well-child checks over 14 months. 1472/2359 (62.4%) of offered screeners were completed, returned, and scored. One-third (32.5%) of completed screeners captured a potentially traumatic event experience described by either children or caregivers. Moderate to severe traumatic stress symptoms were identified in 10.7% and 5.2% of patients, respectively. Concurrent depression screening revealed that 68.3% of adolescents with depressive symptoms reported a potentially traumatic event (PTE) and 80.5% had concurrent traumatic stress symptoms. Adolescents reporting a PTE were 3.5 times more likely to report thoughts of suicide or self-harm than those without this history.ConclusionsResults from this pilot study suggest that traumatic stress screening in the pediatric primary care setting may be feasible and may identify and classify mental health symptoms missed with current screening practices for depression. The prevalence of PTEs and traumatic stress symptoms associated with PTEs support the potential utility of a standardized screening in early identification of and response to children with clinically important symptoms of childhood traumatic stress. Future research should evaluate meaningful clinical outcomes associated with traumatic stress screening.

Intersecting Disability and Trauma: a Study of Identity Metamorphosis in Indra Sinha’s Animal’s People

The motive of this paper is to examine identity as a metaphor of change in the interface of trauma and disability study. The creation of identity and meaning in disability study, especially caused by disasters like chemical leakage, is reformulated by the effect of traumatic situations in the socio-political-psychological existence. Identity gets divided into post-human combination of ‘self’ and ‘other’. It is also reframed by the memory of past in contrast with present, and by the allegorical existence of dream and reality. Such is in the case of Indra Sinha’s Animal’s People (2007), which represents the tragedy caused by Bhopal Gas disaster. It reflects on the modification of identity, especially in the character of Animal (a disabled victim), springing from normal to paranormal entity due to the memory of traumatic night. There are other characters such as Somraji and Maa Francis, who collectively suffer from identity crisis due to the memory of ‘that night’. Thus, the formation of identity varies over the experience of traumatic events of ‘that night’.

Explication of traumatic experience due to russian armed aggression against Ukraine in 2014–2024 in the national street art

The purpose of the article — culturologically comprehend the traumatic experience due to russian armed aggression against Ukraine in 2014–2024 in the national street art.&#x0D; The methodology of the research is based on the culturology approach combining study of arts and social and cultural methods of analysis of the representation of the traumatic experience in the national street art. The methodologic tools form the system approach (allowing to consider the street art in the system of interaction of processes and phenomena determined by the russian armed aggression in Ukraine), axiological approach (aimed at determination of the place of influence of urban art on the value universe of the traumatized subject), semasiological approach (allowing to consider the murals and graffiti as a sign system through which the communication of street artists and the society is carried out), typology method (to define the principal subject subgroups of patriotic graffiti and murals), structural and functional (aimed at definition of socially important functions of street art in the context of traumatic events).&#x0D; The results. It was found out that street art, namely graffiti and murals reflect, interpret and comprehend individual and collective experience of traumatic events caused by the predatory war of the russian federation. The principal subgroups of the patriotic wall painting were singled out that reflect the events and public spirits due to russian war aggression in Ukraine. The key functions of the national street art in conditions of the traumatic events were determined.&#x0D; The scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the research lies in multivector analysis of the representation of the traumatic experience due to russian armed aggression against Ukraine in 2014–2024 in the national art. The article materials may be used for further manuals, courses, articles in culturology, art studies, history of world culture etc.&#x0D; Conclusions. 2014–2024 show the decade signifying the traumatic events caused by the russian predatory war for the Ukrainian society. The trauma both on individual and collective levels is comprehended and visualized by the means of street art. Murals and graffiti as an art introspection of national street artists of the traumatic events found reflection in the patriotic themes (the theme of resistance and struggle of the Ukrainians, the theme of symbols and safeguards, the theme of honoring the military, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the theme of gratitude to the volunteers, the State Emergency Service, etc., the theme of realities and consequences of the war). The street art in the current trauma plays a series of important functions, in particular, communicative, therapeutic and predictive. Urban art is an art of action, resistance, support and consolidation, the site for discussion of the socially important issues, as well as comprehension of the traumatic events of the national history.

Source Domain Associations as Conceptual Assemblages in Trauma Talk – an Association Rule Mining Approach

ABSTRACT The qualitative nature of co-deployed or “associated” metaphorical source domains in discourse has been extensively researched, often in terms of whether they share common conceptual roots. There are however few empirical studies on the strength of these associations and their implications. In mental healthcare activities like psychological interviews and counseling, for example, strongly associated sources may suggest unique “conceptual assemblages” that highlight underexplored (dis)similarities between clients or client groups, beyond the typical focus on isolated sources and frequencies. Our case study compares source domain associations produced by two interviewee groups – one meeting the diagnostic threshold for acute stress disorder (ASD), the other not – relating their first-hand experiences of traumatic events during the 2019 Hong Kong social unrest. The machine learning method of association rule mining is used to extract and quantify the top association rules in both groups. Results show i) a shared rule suggesting a highly schematic construal of trauma that nevertheless varies in instantiating details, and ii) several distinct rules that corroborates and lends further insight into the “agentive vs. non-agentive” characteristics exhibited by ASD vs. non-ASD individuals. Implications and future directions, including potential extensions to other discourse contexts, are discussed.

THREAT TO PERSONAL SECURITY – CONSEQUENCES OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS AMONG POLISH SOLDIERS PARTICIPATING IN MISSIONS ABROAD

Soldiers participating in various types of missions abroad experience stress almost every day.This indispensable element of military service is caused primarily by numerous military threats.Functioning under chronic stress for a long period of time leads to consequences on many levels.Most scientists dealing with this topic unanimously emphasize that living under chronic stresscauses the body to react both mentally and physically. Moreover, the paper covers the emotional,cognitive, biological and behavioural spheres. The purpose of the research was to determine theextent to which soldiers deployed on missions experience negative and positive consequences oftraumatic experiences, what relationships exist between negative and positive consequences oftraumatic experience, and whether they are related to demographic variables.Results. The results of the authors’ research indicated that the surveyed soldiers deployed onoverseas missions, exposed to a traumatic event connected with the performance of their serviceduties, are affected by both negative and positive consequences of the events experienced.Conclusions. Therefore, the results obtained confirmed the possibility of the co-occurrence ofnegative and positive effects of the experienced trauma.

Trauma and psychosocial adversity in youth with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability.

Traumatic experiences contribute significantly to behavioral and mood dysregulation syndromes presenting for treatment to behavioral health settings. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability (ID) and developmental delay experience traumatic events more frequently than their typically developing peers. However, measures used to identify trauma related disorders and treatment thereof are based on typically developing individuals. Regardless of the baseline characteristics of individuals who experience trauma, trauma exposure is the result of multiple interdependent environmental, social, and familial characteristics. We used the "ecological systems analysis approach" to structure our review of the impact of trauma on those with ASD and ID. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic which exposed the global population to a collective trauma, has also catalyzed investigations into the challenges faced by members of society most dependent on social services. Children with ASD and ID were among those vulnerable individuals, and the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed researchers to better understand the impact of a collective trauma on those individuals. It is imperative that we understand current research and recommendations for identifying and treating trauma-related disorders in individuals with developmental disorders to best inform clinical practice and directions for future research in this area.

Ratovi, traume i identiteti u srpskom romanu 1991-2021 (II)

The second part of the paper deals with the testimonial-representative paradigm as a choice based on the personal expression of unique experiences of traumatic events as a frame for contemporary concrete understanding and a kind of cathartic solution to identity contradictions. The outcome shows that both paradigms could also be productive in articulating adequate identity politics and/or principle understandings of identity problems only if they consider each other as balancing possibilities.

The selection of genres and forms in audiovisual art for the recording and artistic reinterpretation of wartime themes

The article studies the representation of war-related themes in cinematography, the selection of audiovisual forms and genres for their expression, and analyzes the influence of war on the development of art in historical and contemporary contexts. An attempt is made to systematize thematic components that filmmakers can use to create audiovisual works about contemporary war events in Ukraine.&#x0D; The purpose of the article is to explore the issue of choosing cinematic forms that allow for emotional proximity of the audience to the experience of traumatic wartime events. Additionally, it involves an analysis of the differences in approaches to handling war-related themes in art depending on the temporal distance between the creators and the events. The study draws upon the findings of previous research related to the concept of “postmemory” and examines how this concept can be applied to the development of contemporary cinema by Ukrainian directors.&#x0D; The methodology of the research is conducted through a system-oriented analysis and comparison of various forms and genres of screen arts, each of which possesses distinct means of expression for exploring central topics (narrative and documentary cinema, short and feature films, portrait films, and docudramas).&#x0D; The scientific novelty of the study lies in the attempt to apply international experience in analyzing the representation of traumatic wartime experiences in works of art, with the aim of projecting the application of these practices in the Ukrainian artistic context.&#x0D; The results. The depiction of war themes in art serves as a significant tool for preserving and transmitting traumatic emotional memories across generations. It is precisely the experience of wartime events that becomes pivotal in shaping the national identity, both at the collective and individual levels. In this context, the director’s task is to find the most suitable cinematic form to reveal specific stories. Despite the prevailing opinion in the professional Ukrainian film community and society regarding the inappropriateness of producing fictional films about the contemporary war in Ukraine, research demonstrates that the traumatic experience undergone by Ukrainians today requires documentation, representation, and artistic reinterpretation in close proximity to the ongoing events.&#x0D; The scientific novelty of the research lies in the analysis of the application of the concept of “postmemory” and the exploration of ways in which this concept can be used to shape the contemporary cinematic language of Ukrainian directors. Additionally, the article outlines several thematic areas within which modern cinematographers can seek specific stories and characters for their future works.&#x0D; The practical significance. Various formats and genres of screen media can be applied for this purpose, including short and feature films, documentaries, and fictional films, as well as works in such genres like portraiture, sketches, and docudramas. The research emphasizes the appropriateness of creating and comparatively analyzing diverse artistic forms dedicated to the theme of war in literature, cinematography, visual arts, music, and more. Regardless of the chosen thematic dimensions in which an author works, it is crucial to remember the power of personal stories and experiences that can provide an understanding of the enormous scale of wartime tragedy.

Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study

BackgroundThis study describes the trauma experiences of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia and presents a model of how SMI and trauma exposure interact to reduce functioning and quality of life in this setting.MethodsA total of 53 participants living and working in a rural district in southern Ethiopia were interviewed: 18 people living with SMI, 21 caregivers, and 14 primary health care providers.ResultsMany participants reported that exposure to traumatic and stressful events led to SMI, exacerbated SMI symptoms, and increased caregiver stress and distress. In addition, SMI symptoms and caregiver desperation, stress or stigma were also reported to increase the possibility of trauma exposure.ConclusionsResults suggest it is incumbent upon health professionals and the broader health community to view trauma exposure (broadly defined) as a public health problem that affects all, particularly individuals with SMI.

Somewhere Between Truth and Its Telling: Memory and its materiality

This article is centred on the performance Somewhere Between Truth and Its Telling, which was first performed in 2012. Since then, it has been archived and exhibited in the form of a video work. The performance references key incidents that contributed to its creation: (1) the making of the performance titled My Other History, specifically an archived conversation undertaken as actor research; (2) the censorship of My Other History by the Public Performances Board of Sri Lanka and (3) the embodied actions and objects in the composition of Somewhere Between Truth and Its Telling created in response to the memory of the conversation that preceded it. As such, this article employs selected photographs of the performances in order to position artistic choices made, as well as an exploration of the two interconnected performances through their relationship to the memory of war and the lived experience of traumatic events. The performance of Somewhere Between Truth and Its Telling thus acts as a reflexive framework that opens up a space where experiences of performance-making can be critically evaluated through embodied witnessing that supports an exchange or transmission of memory through storytelling and how accountability comes to be situated in the practice of performing from the lived experience of violence and trauma.

Complicated grief and posttraumatic stress after loss and separation under terror conditions.

The lives of people in conflict areas are often characterized by the experience of traumatic events frequently accompanied by loss and separation. These can equally trigger symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief (CG). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether affected individuals could be assigned to distinct classes at symptom-cluster levels of these two disorders. Moreover, we aimed to identify event-related and sociodemographic predictors associated with membership in these pathological classes. Participants were Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs; N = 199) who fled their hometowns due to the ISIS conflict and reported having lost an important person within the past 5 years. Based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), a latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to examine different classes of symptom clusters. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine which variables predicted assignment to these symptom classes. The impact of loss and separation among IDPs in Iraq manifested in CG symptoms in more than half of the affected population and was often accompanied by PTSD. LCA identified a low-symptoms class (17.6%), CG class (33.7%), PTSD class (12.1%), and comorbid PTSD+CG class (36.7%). The sudden or violent death of a loved one was identified as a distinguishing factor for PTSD. Furthermore, separation was associated with comorbidity. Aid agencies should take these specific factors into account to improve effective and economic aid delivery to IDPs continuously affected by terror.

Effect of traumatic experiences and future threats on executive functioning and verbal fluency amongst Farsi-Dari speaking immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers

BackgroundImpairments in executive functioning associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may impact the capacity of refugees and asylum seekers. AimsTo examine the association between executive functioning and PTSD with and without prominent future-focused threat (FFT) intrusions at rest and after threat priming. Method66 Farsi and Dari-speaking asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants were recruited into 3 groups: High PTSD & FFT Symptoms; High PTS Symptoms; Low PTSD & FFT symptoms. The Category Fluency Test (animals; food; flora) in Farsi was administered at baseline and after two counter-balanced future- and past-focused threat narrative tasks. Results: Higher PTSD and FFT symptom scores was associated with reduced verbal fluency [correct words (PTS p < 0.001; FFT p < 0.007), clustered words (PTS, p < 0.004; FFT p < 0.009) and clusters (PTS p < 0.017; FFT p < 0.009)]. The PTSD group retrieved fewer correct words (17.6, p < 0.009) using fewer clusters (p < 0.008) than the low-symptom group at baseline. It was only after exposure to the narrative task that the FFT group displayed comparable impairment. ConclusionsA subset of displaced persons with future threat symptoms exhibit cognitive impairment when asked to recount narrative details. Future threat may limit capacity to engage in cognitively demanding activities, such as participating in Refugee Status Determination.

Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among residents of Shanghai standardized training programs during the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have increased the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depressive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among healthcare workers. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of PTSD and its risk factors among residents in the standardized residency training programs (SRTPs) in Shanghai during the COVID-19 outbreak. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 17, 2021, and January 7, 2022, among SRPT residents from 15 hospitals in Shanghai, China. Questionnaires comprising general information, medical-related traumatic event experiences, the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5), and the perceived social support scale (PSSS) were distributed to the participants using the online Questionnaire Star electronic system. We included 835 valid responses for the analysis. In total, 654 residents (78.3%) had experienced at least one traumatic event, and 278 residents (33.3%) were found to have PTSD symptoms. The age 26-30 years old, female sex, and increased resident working hours were identified as the risk factors for PTSD (p < 0.05), and perceived social support had a significant negative association with PTSD (p < 0.05). During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a high prevalence of PTSD among SRTPs residents in Shanghai. The age 26-30 years old, female sex, and increased resident working hours were identified as risk factors for PTSD, while perceived social support was identified as a protective factor against PTSD. The present findings can be applied in STRPs management and provide useful information for designing special interventions and protocols for SRTPs residents.

Prevalence and Factors Related to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms Among Children and Adolescents Survivors and Orphans of Ebola Virus Disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo Eastern Regions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PurposeAlthough previous studies have shown a high prevalence of mental health problems among adult Ebola virus disease survivors, no studies have yet been conducted on mental health problems among children and adolescents in affected regions. Consequently, the current study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children and adolescent survivors and orphans by utilizing a cross-sectional survey following the 2018–2020 epidemic in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. MethodsA total of 146 survivors (mean age = 13.62, standard deviation [SD] = 2.50, 49.32% female), 233 orphans (mean age = 13.18, SD = 2.96, 53.32% female), and 34 orphan-survivor participants (mean age = 13.39, SD = 2.87, 44.12% female) were recruited. Participants completed measures assessing depression and PTSD symptoms, traumatic experiences, and stigma related to Ebola and COVID-19. ResultsThe prevalence of depression and PTSD symptoms was 87.32% and 44.42%, respectively. Results showed significant differences in depression and PTSD symptoms between orphan-survivors (100% and 97.06%), survivors (90.21% and 75.86%), and orphans (83.48% and 16.52%; χ2(2) = 9.02; p = .011 and χ2(2) = 168.85; p < .001). Experience of traumatic events, Ebola stigmatization, and COVID-19 stigmatization positively predicted depression and PTSD symptoms. The regression models explained 61%–72% of the variance of depression and PTSD. DiscussionThe results reveal that the Ebola virus disease and its associated grief severely jeopardize the mental health of children and adolescents in affected regions. Despite the relative paucity of resources, intervention programs may be helpful to minimize associated stigma and promote psychological support.

Adverse childhood experiences, traumatic events, and mental health among adults at two outpatient psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences and adult trauma, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and interpersonal violence, are highly prevalent in low-resource settings and associated with adverse psychological outcomes. However, there is limited focus on the impact of ACEs and trauma on mental health in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study examines the impact of traumatic events and ACEs on depression, anxiety, and stress scores among outpatients receiving psychiatric care at two public mental health treatment facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa.MethodsA sample of 309 participants were recruited between January and June 2022 at Helen Joseph Hospital and Alexandra 18th Avenue Clinic. Participants completed screening measures for mental health outcomes, including the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. We fitted modified Poisson and linear regression models to estimate the impact of ACEs and adult experiences of trauma on depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores.Results47.57% (n = 147) of participants screened positive for anxiety, 44.66% (n = 138) for depression, and 17% (n = 54) for severe stress. More females screened positive for anxiety (65.31%), depression (65.94%), and stress (77.78%). Each ACE was associated with a 12% increased risk of depression, a 10% increased risk of anxiety, and a 17% increased risk of stress. In separately estimated models, each additional traumatic event during adulthood was associated with a 16% increased risk for depression, an 8% increased risk of anxiety, and a 26% increased risk of stress. Across all models, being male and self-reported physical health were consistently associated with a reduced risk for depression, anxiety, and stress.ConclusionsACEs and experiences of traumatic events as adults were associated with significantly increased risks of anxiety, depression, and severe stress. Given high exposure to ACEs and trauma and the associated impact on the mental health of individuals, families, and communities, there is a need to strengthen and scale innovative combination interventions that address multiple stressors impacting people in low-resource settings.