Higher Levels Of Posttraumatic Stress Research Articles

Psychometric properties of the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) among refugee adolescents from Afghanistan, Syria, and Somalia

ABSTRACT Background: High levels of post-traumatic stress are well documented among refugees. Yet, refugee adolescents display high heterogeneity in their type of trauma and symptom levels. Objective: Following the recurrent plea for validated trauma screening tools, this study investigated the psychometric properties of the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) among refugee adolescents from Afghanistan (n = 148), Syria (n = 234), and Somalia (n = 175) living in Europe. Method: The model fit for the confirmatory factor structures was tested, as well as measurement invariance between the three groups. The robustness of results was evaluated by testing measurement invariance between recently arrived and settled adolescents, and between different response labelling options. Reliability (α, ω, and ordinal α), criterion validity, and prevalence estimates were calculated. Results: The intrusion subscale showed a better stable model fit than the avoidance subscale, but the two-factor structure was mainly supported. Configural measurement invariance was achieved between Afghan and Somali adolescents, and strong measurement invariance between Syrian and Somali adolescents. The results were robust considering the time living in the host country and response labelling styles. Reliability was low among Afghan and Syrian adolescents (.717−.856), whereas it was higher among Somali adolescents (.831−.887). The total score had medium-sized correlations with emotional problems (.303−.418) and low correlations with hyperactivity (.077−.155). There were statistically significant differences in symptom prevalence: Afghan adolescents had higher prevalence (55.5%) than Syrian (42.8%) and Somali (37%) adolescents, and unaccompanied refugee minors had higher symptom prevalence (63.5%) than accompanied adolescents (40.7%). Conclusions: This study mostly supports the use of the CRIES-8 among adolescents from Afghanistan, Syria, and Somalia, and even comparative analyses of group means. Variation in reliability estimates, however, makes diagnostic predictions difficult, as the risk of misclassification is high.

Chinese college students’ post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19: a grounded theory study

During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, both high levels of post-traumatic stress and positive personal changes, a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth (PTG), were experienced by some people. What remains unknown are the constructs and facilitators of PTG during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study uses a grounded theory methodology to elucidate the behavioral and cognitional dimensions of PTG in Chinese college students. Twenty-four individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with Chinese college students who had positive experiences during the epidemic. Transcripts were analyzed using initial and focused coding to identify themes that explained the PTG model. The coding results revealed that the Chinese college students’ PTG consisted of four core themes: reflections on the country and society, self-awareness changes, increased social behavior, and lifestyle modifications. Additionally, participants described external factors such as information input and patriotism, which were identified as influencing their PTG during the pandemic. Findings from this study extend prior theory and research by conceptualizing a novel theoretical model for PTG among college students during the pandemic and provide important implications for research and practice.

Health care needs, experiences, and satisfaction after terrorism: a longitudinal study of parents of survivors of the Utøya attack

BackgroundThere is scarce knowledge on the health care follow-up of parents of terror attack survivors. This study focused on the mothers and fathers of survivors and examined (1) their perceived health care needs relative to their psychological reactions, physical health problems (unmet health care needs), and adaptation to work; (2) whether sociodemographic characteristics, health problems and social support were associated with unmet health care needs; and (3) how unmet health care needs, sociodemographic characteristics, and experiences with health services associated with overall dissatisfaction during the health care follow-up.MethodsInterview and questionnaire data from three waves of the Utøya parent study were analyzed (n = 364). Chi-square tests and t- tests were used to compare unmet physical and psychological health care needs, sociodemographic factors and post-terror attack health reported by mothers and fathers. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine whether sociodemographic characteristics, unmet health care needs, and health care experiences were associated with overall dissatisfaction among mothers and fathers of the survivors during the health care follow-up.ResultsAmong the mothers, 43% reported unmet health care needs for psychological reactions, while 25% reported unmet health care needs for physical problems. Among the fathers, 36% reported unmet health care needs for psychological reactions, and 15% reported unmet health care needs for physical problems. Approximately 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers reported “very high/high” needs for adaptation to work. Poorer self-perceived health, higher levels of posttraumatic stress and anxiety/depression symptoms, and lower levels of social support were significantly associated with reported unmet psychological and physical health care needs in both mothers and fathers. Parents with unmet health care needs reported significantly lower satisfaction with the help services received compared to parents whose health care needs were met. Low accessibility of help services and not having enough time to talk and interact with health care practitioners were associated with overall dissatisfaction with the help received.ConclusionsOur findings highlight that parents of terror-exposed adolescents are at risk of having unmet psychological and physical health care needs and thus need to be included in proactive outreach and health care follow-up programs in the aftermath of a terror attack.

Social group connections support mental health following wildfire

PurposeAs environmental disasters become more common and severe due to climate change, there is a growing need for strategies to bolster recovery that are proactive, cost-effective, and which mobilise community resources.AimsWe propose that building social group connections is a particularly promising strategy for supporting mental health in communities affected by environmental disasters.MethodsWe tested the social identity model of identity change in a disaster context among 627 people substantially affected by the 2019–2020 Australian fires.ResultsWe found high levels of post-traumatic stress, strongly related to severity of disaster exposure, but also evidence of psychological resilience. Distress and resilience were weakly positively correlated. Having stronger social group connections pre-disaster was associated with less distress and more resilience 12–18 months after the disaster, via three pathways: greater social identification with the disaster-affected community, greater continuity of social group ties, and greater formation of new social group ties. New group ties were a mixed blessing, positively predicting both resilience and distress.ConclusionsWe conclude that investment in social resources is key to supporting mental health outcomes, not just reactively in the aftermath of disasters, but also proactively in communities most at risk.

Disability and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the Ukrainian General Population during the 2022 Russian Invasion.

Previous research has shown that people with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to symptoms of psychological distress after exposure to armed conflict. Past work has also shown that individuals displaced by conflict are at heightened risk of post-traumatic stress. Using a national online sample of Ukrainians in the early weeks of the 2022 Russian invasion, we aim to examine associations between functional disability and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. We examined the association between levels of functional disability in the Ukrainian population and symptoms of post-traumatic stress during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. We analysed data from a national sample of 2000 participants from across this country, assessing disability using the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-12)(six domains of disability) and the International Trauma Questionnaire assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology according to the Eleventh Edition of The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Moderated regression examined the impact of displacement status on the disability-post-traumatic stress relationship. Different domains of disability predicted post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) to varying extents, with overall disability score significantly associated with PTSSs. This relationship was not moderated by displacement status. Consistent with previous research, females reported higher levels of post-traumatic stress. In a study of a general population during a time of armed conflict, individuals with more severe disabilities were at greater risk of PTSSs. Psychiatrists and related professionals should consider pre-existing disability as a risk factor for conflict-related post-traumatic stress.

Psychological Health in Intensive Care Unit Health Care Workers after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the general population, health care workers (HCWs) constituted one of the groups that were most adversely affected by the associated risks, owing to the significant consequences on their mental health. This study examined these psychological effects on HCWs who cared for COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit in an Italian hospital. Subjects were administered several self-reported questionnaires: Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS), Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), as well as two open-ended questions oriented toward understanding their positive and negative emotional experience and differentiating between two phases of the emergency. Overall, 45% of HCWs showed medium-to-high anxiety/depressive symptoms, whereas 60% presented with medium-to-high levels of perceived stress. In addition, 37% of subjects developed symptoms of PTSD and 50% showed post-traumatic growth in the "appreciation of life" and "new possibilities" dimensions. With regard to the open-ended questions, three themes were identified: quality of workplace relationships, sense of emotional-relational competence, and sense of clinical-technical competence. In addition, two macrocategories of responses were identified in the answers: growth and block. The mental health of HCWs who are involved in the front line of COVID-19 was significantly impacted by this experience, showing high levels of post-traumatic stress and anxiety and depressive symptoms more than 1 year after the emergency began. A qualitative analysis of staff experiences can be a useful guide for structuring interventions and prevention.

Post-traumatic growth in people experiencing high post-traumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: The protective role of psychological flexibility

The COVID-19 pandemic evokes high levels of post-traumatic stress (PTS) in some people as well as positive personal changes, a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Experiencing an adverse event as traumatic is crucial for triggering PTG, therefore higher PTS is often associated with higher PTG. This longitudinal study examined the protective role of psychological flexibility in fostering PTG in a group of people reporting high PTS related to COVID-19 as compared to those with low PTS. We hypothesized that higher psychological flexibility will be associated with higher PTG in those with high PTS and that psychological flexibility would be unrelated to PTG in those with low PTS. Secondary data analysis was conducted on data from a larger project investigating the psychological impacts of COVID-19. Adult Italians (N = 382) completed online surveys at Time 1 (three months after the first national lockdown, July 2020) and Time 2 (three months later when the number of COVID-19 cases increased, October 2020). Based on the Impact of Event Scale–Revised cut-off score, two PTS groups were identified at Time 2: low PTS (below cut-off) and high PTS (above cut-off). As predicted, moderation analyses showed that after controlling for Time 1 PTS and PTG and confounding variables, Time 1 psychological flexibility was associated with higher Time 2 PTG in the high PTS group, whereas psychological flexibility was unrelated to PTG in the low PTS group. Four psychological flexibility sub-processes (present moment awareness, defusion, values, committed action) at Time 1 were related to higher Time 2 PTG in only the high PTS group. Findings advance understanding of the role of psychological flexibility in trauma reactions and pandemic mental health adjustment. Evidence-based approaches that target psychological flexibility, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, are likely to foster PTG and ultimately adjustment in people with high PTS during and after the pandemic.

Mental health problems in refugee and immigrant primary school children in Flanders, Belgium.

European countries face the challenge of promoting refugee and immigrant children's well-being within their host communities, invoking the necessity of adequate mental health assessment. This study aims to contribute to document the psychosocial well-being of primary school refugee and non-refugee immigrant children in Flanders, Belgium. A total of 120 children (8-12years old) with migration backgrounds participated in the study. Through self-report, parent and teacher questionnaires we scrutinized externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems, post-traumatic stress problems, and classroom relationships. Thirty percent of the participants reported high levels of post-traumatic stress; around 25% reported a high or very high prevalence of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. Self-reported mental health problems are elevated in comparison to the general population. Refugee children did not report more difficulties than their immigrant peers. In the perception of parents and teachers, respectively 20% and 5% of children showed high or very high amounts of internalizing and externalizing behavioral difficulties. Almost 70% of the participants perceived the class climate as unsafe. Refugee and immigrant children are at risk for mental health difficulties, and experience classroom dynamics as markedly distressful. School-based intervention might be particularly suited to support these children's psychosocial well-being in resettlement.

Risk factors for PTSD diagnosis in young victims of recent sexual assault

ABSTRACT Background Sexual assault is associated with a high risk of developing PTSD. Little is known about the PTSD onset in children who have recently been victimized by sexual assault. It is important to identify children at risk for PTSD after sexual assault to prevent chronic problems and revictimization. Objective The first aim of this study was to describe the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms in the four weeks after sexual assault. The second aim was to analyse whether pre-assault factors, assault-related factors, social support, and post-traumatic stress, measured at two weeks post-assault, were associated with an indication of PTSD. Method From January 2019 to March 2021, data were collected of victims aged 8–17 years (n = 51; mean age = 15.00; SD = 1.78) who had contacted a Sexual Assault Centre. Severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms was measured at two and four weeks post-assault. The study was designed to use a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study included female victims only. Results Most of the victims (58.8%) showed a decline in the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms in the four weeks after sexual assault. However, 27.4% showed an increase and 13.7% showed no change in symptoms. More than two-thirds of the children (70.6%) showed severe post-traumatic stress symptoms at four weeks post-assault, i.e. had an indication of PTSD. Since only one significant difference was found, the multivariate analysis was not executed. A significant difference was found between severity of symptoms at two weeks and an indication of PTSD at four weeks (t(49) = −5.79; p < .001). Conclusion Children with high levels of post-traumatic stress at two weeks post-assault are at risk for PTSD indication at four weeks post-assault. Further research is needed to determine whether early trauma-based treatment for children with high post-traumatic stress symptoms can prevent the development of PTSD. HIGHLIGHTS Young victims of recent sexual assault with high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms at two weeks post-assault are at risk for PTSD indication at four weeks post-assault, although they received immediate psychological care

Nursing home staff mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland.

BackgroundNursing homes for older adults have been disproportionately affected by the Covid‐19 pandemic with increased mortality of residents and staff distress.ObjectiveTo quantify the mental health of nursing home staff during the Covid‐19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland.Design/MethodsCross‐sectional anonymous study of Republic of Ireland nursing home staff (n = 390) during the third wave of the Covid‐19 pandemic. Online survey collecting demographic information, Covid‐19 exposure history and mental health measures.ResultsThere were significant differences between nurses, healthcare assistants (HCA) and non‐clinical staff history in age, ethnicity, years' experience, history of Covid‐19 infection and contact with Covid‐19 positive acquaintances. Moderate–severe post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms were found in 45.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 40.2%–50.1%) of all staff. A World Health Organisation‐5 (WHO‐5) wellbeing index score ≤32, indicating low mood, was reported by 38.7% (95% CI, 33.9%–43.5%) of staff; significantly more nurses reported low mood. Suicidal ideation and suicide planning were reported, respectively, by 13.8% (95% CI, 10.4%–17.3%) and 9.2% (95% CI, 6.4%–12.1%) of participants with no between‐group differences. HCAs reported a significantly higher degree of moral injury than non‐clinical staff. Nurses were more likely to use approach coping styles than non‐clinical staff. Work ability was insufficient in 24.6% (95% CI 20.3%–28.9%) of staff.ConclusionNursing home staff report high levels of post‐traumatic stress, mood disturbance and moral injury during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Differences in degree of moral injury, wellbeing and coping styles were found between staff groups, which need to be incorporated into planning supports for this neglected workforce.

Losing a Loved One During the Covid-19 Pandemic: An On-Line Survey Looking at the Effects on Traumatic Stress, Coping and Post-Traumatic Growth.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect across the world. In the UK alone, the death toll is 132,742, with 207 people dying the previous day and a total of 6,825,074 cases of Covid-19 thus far (September 1st, 2021). The aim of this study was to look at post-traumatic stress, coping skills and post-traumatic growth in relatives, who lost a loved one during the pandemic. Some 185 individuals took part in a Qualtrics survey. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Coping Assessment for Bereavement and Loss (CABLE) and the Post-Traumatic Growth Questionnaire. There were two major findings. First, there were very high levels of post-traumatic stress, with 94.6% of the sample scoring above the threshold of 33 for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Second, levels of post-traumatic growth were very low. Losing a relative during the Covid-19 pandemic may lead to more PTSD. The circumstances surrounding many Covid deaths, may have long term negative consequences for the bereaved relatives.

Risk and protective factors for post-traumatic stress among New Zealand police personnel: a cross sectional study

PurposeThe purpose of this research was to examine which factors increase the risk of post-traumatic stress in police officers to assist with identifying strategies that will minimize its occurrence.Design/methodology/approachThis study of constabulary and non-constabulary members of the New Zealand Police has been based on an 80-question electronic survey, which was sent to all serving, resigned and retired members of the New Zealand Police Association, which number approximately 18,000. The survey included a series of questions that measured the post-traumatic stress that participants experienced.FindingsVariables associated with post-traumatic stress were examined using logistic regression modeling techniques. The study found that post-traumatic stress was prevalent among serving, resigned and retired police members and exposure to trauma, especially prolonged exposure, was significantly associated with post-traumatic stress. More than 49% of participants were found to have some post-traumatic stress symptoms and more than 14% of participants indicated a presumptive clinical diagnosis of post-traumatic stress.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the research included not include questions relating to the Social Provisions Scale (SPS) and General Health Questionnaire, nor did it include police officer recruits. A further limitation was that it was a cross-sectional study.Originality/valueAn understanding as to which variables influence or increase post-traumatic stress disorder is important for police officers and the police institution. The findings from this study indicate that exposure to trauma is strongly associated with high levels of post-traumatic stress, while good sleep and relaxation decrease the influence of such variables.

Post-traumatic stress, growth, and depreciation during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Turkey

ABSTRACT Background: A worldwide health threat, the COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the need to focus on its mental health impact. However, literature on mental health effects including post-traumatic consequences of the pandemic is scarce. Objective: The current study examined post-traumatic stress (PTS), growth (PTG), and depreciation (PTD) during the pandemic, and explored factors associated with these mental health outcomes in an adult community sample from Turkey. Method: A total of 685 participants responded to an online survey that gathered data on sociodemographic characteristics, financial loss during the pandemic, time spent at home and frequency of social media use, perception of COVID-related risks, stress, and event-related rumination. Data analysis included correlation and regression analyses. Results: Results showed that PTS, PTG, and PTD were positively correlated with each other. Younger age and being single were associated with higher PTS and PTD, and lower education levels predicted all three outcomes. Experiencing financial loss during the pandemic, more frequent social media use to follow COVID-related news and posts, and longer time spent at home during the pandemic were associated with higher PTS. Anticipating financial risks during the pandemic were associated with all outcomes while anticipating health-related risks due to COVID-19 and perceived stress levels predicted PTS and PTD but not PTG. Both intrusive and deliberate rumination were associated with higher levels of PTS and PTD, and PTG was predicted solely by deliberate rumination. Moreover, provisional PTSD was indicated in 47.9% of the participants. Membership to the provisional PTSD group was predicted by age, level of education, time spent on social media, anticipating COVID‐19–related health risks, perceived stress, and event-related rumination. Conclusions: The current study provides empirical evidence for the short-term post-traumatic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related factors, which can help to guide mental health services during the pandemic.

Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists

ABSTRACT Background: Journalists covering traumatic news events can develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, they may also experience perceived post-traumatic growth (PTG). The outcome may be affected by whether work-related traumatic stress has a degree of personal risk. Objective: To investigate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG among journalists who experienced work-related trauma and to examine whether positive associations would exist between exposure to personal risk and PTG. Method: A web-based survey measuring post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth was completed by print and broadcast journalists (N = 69) working for UK-based media organizations. An open-ended question asked participants how media organizations can help to promote growth after work-related trauma. Results: The findings show a significant relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG (p = 0.04). Journalists working in war-zones had significantly more PTSD symptoms (p < .001) and PTG scores (p < .001) than those who did not. Journalists who described their worst, work-related trauma as having a degree of personal, life-threatening risk, also reported higher levels of PTG than those who did not (p < .001). This was consistent across all PTG subscales. Conclusions: This study, the first to examine PTSD symptoms, personal risk and post-traumatic growth within journalists, suggests those working in conflict areas experience significantly higher levels of post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth, than those who do not. Those who experience personal risk also had high PTG levels. Media companies can help develop PTG by recognizing when personal risk plays a role in covering demanding assignments. Participants suggested organizations also needed to allow sufficient time for reflection and meaning-making for all those working in hostile environments.

Peer loss: Posttraumatic stress, depression, and grief symptoms in a traumatized adolescent community.

In our prospective study, 168 adolescents exposed directly or indirectly to the same traumatic event-a fatal school bus accident-in which seven students were killed instantly, were assessed for post-traumatic stress, depression and grief symptoms at 2- and 18-months post-accident. Prevalence rates of likely PTSD and depression were noted across all types of physical proximity exposure: 77.6% and 48.1% respectively in the indirectly exposed group, 79.4% and 47.1% respectively in the directly in-the-area exposed group, and 77.8% and 42.1% respectively in the directly in-bus exposed group. One-fifth experienced high and unremitting levels of grief symptoms over time ("persistent grief"); 17% with initially high levels of grief symptoms showed a decrease at 18 months but were still within the low medium range ("towards recovery"); 39% with initially medium/high grief symptoms reported low levels of grief at the follow-up ("recovery"); and 23% of the participants experienced grief symptoms that remained persistently low ("resilient"). The absence of both PTSD and depression at 18 months predicted adjustment to loss, whereas the absence of depression at 18 months predicted a recovering course of grief. The findings highlight the impact of high levels of post-traumatic stress and depression symptoms on the long-term persistent grief outcome.

The 2019–2020 bushfires and COVID‐19: The ongoing impact on the mental health of people living in rural and farming communities

It is well established that bushfires and other natural disasters have long term‐effects on the mental health of affected individuals and communities (Black Dog Institute, 2020). These effects can last for years as demonstrated following the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria, Australia: one fifth (21.9%) of the highest impacted communities reported mental health symptoms at the five year follow up (Gibbs et al. 2013).

Perceived Executive Functioning among Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

ABSTRACT Current literature demonstrates that female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) suffer cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, less is known about how women perceive their cognitive functioning and related factors. The main objective was to assess to what degree abuse severity and mental health are related to perceived cognitive functioning in women who have been exposed to IPV. A group of female IPV survivors (n = 82) were assessed with the Quality of Life Outcomes in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL-EF), Composite Abuse Scale Revised (CASR-SF), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Findings revealed self-reported impairment in concentration, information processing, and attention. Associations were found between self-reported executive function (EF) and posttraumatic stress, abuse severity, and depression. Further, a model including abuse severity and posttraumatic stress explained up to 20.8% of the variance in perceived EF. Findings indicate that female survivors report a high prevalence of difficulties in the domain of EF. Self-reported impairment in EF may be indicative of higher levels of posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and depression, meriting further assessment and possibly treatment. This study opens the way for the potential use of perceived cognitive functioning screening tools with female survivors.

Effects of Domestic Violence Against Women on Their Children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress of mothers who suffered intimate partner violence (IPV) as predictors of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and internalizing and externalizing problems of their children. The study was performed with 30 women and their children (43), housed in a shelter in the south of Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic data; the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) about the data of her children aged from 6 to 10 years; and the BDI-II, PCL-C, and BAI for the mothers. It was applied the youth self-report (YSR) for adolescent sons aged 11 to 18 years. The data were analyzed using simple linear regression. The women presented high levels of posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, and their children had 23.3% of clinical and 25.6% borderline cases according to the total problem scale of CBCL/YSR. The association of anxiety and depression of the mothers with the symptoms indicated by the CBCL/YSR was observed. The impact of IPV on children has little visibility, and the data demonstrate the urgent need to provide interventions in the service network in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to women victims of IPV and their children.

Vivid memories of distant trauma: Examining the characteristics of trauma memories and the relationship with the centrality of event and posttraumatic stress 26 years after trauma

SummaryIn the present study, we investigated the phenomenological characteristics of distant trauma memories and the relationship between the vividness of trauma memories, the centrality of event and symptoms of posttraumatic stress in two groups with different types of trauma exposure, namely survivors and bereaved, from the fire on the passenger ferry, Scandinavian Star, 26 years earlier. More than two decades after the fire, the traumatic event was represented as a vivid, emotional recollection for many of the victims. For both the survivors and the bereaved, a higher degree of vividness of trauma memories and centrality of the event were associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress. The present findings show that even very distant trauma memories can be represented as vivid recollections. Furthermore, the findings suggest that both vividness of trauma memories and event centrality may contribute to explain how posttraumatic stress reactions can remain present over a very long time.

Dopamine-related receptors, substance dependence, behavioral problems and personality among juvenile delinquents

The objective was two-fold: to examine possible associations between dopamine-related genetic polymorphisms and (1) substance dependence; and (2) self-reported psychiatric disturbances, behavioral problems, and personality. Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP: s) in COMT, DAT and DRD4 was conducted in 174 Russian male juvenile inmates (14–18 years of age) subdivided into having a diagnosis of substance dependence or not, as assessed by using K-SADS-PL. The inmates completed several self-reports assessing psychiatric symptoms (CPTS-RI, BDI), behavioral problems (YSR), and personality traits (TCI). Results revealed that juveniles meeting the criteria for substance dependence differed significantly from their counterparts in four polymorphisms, namely COMT rs737865, DAT rs6347, DRD4 C_1611535 and DRD4 exon III; and exact binary regression analysis indicated a highly significant association between the DRD4 C_1611535 GG genotype and substance dependence. One-way ANOVA tests further showed this gene polymorphism variant to be significantly associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress, thought problems, aggressive behavior, and personality traits indicating antisocial personality disturbances, as compared with the other gene polymorphism variants. In conclusion, the results underscore the role of the DRD4 polymorphism C_1611535 GG genotype for substance dependence, and suggest its associations with different self-reported phenotype characteristics.