High Trauma Symptoms Research Articles

Exposure to Starvation: Associations with HbA1c, Anthropometrics, and Trauma Symptoms Four Decades Later Among Cambodians Resettled in the USA.

Epidemiological data suggest that populations exposed to starvation show increased incidence of type 2 diabetes but these studies are limited by lack of person-level data. Cambodians resettled in the USA survived severe malnutrition during distinct historical eras. We examined the relationship of individual exposure to starvation with current HbA1c, anthropometrics, and trauma symptoms among Cambodian Americans. Participants were excluded for extant diabetes but all had elevated risk factors for type 2 diabetes and depression. Participants identified images on a 5-point scale that best depicted their body size during four distinct periods: before 1970 (peacetime), 1970-1975 (USA bombing campaign, widespread hunger), 1975-1979 (Pol Pot regime, mass starvation), and "now" (2016-2019, resettled in the USA).They reported trauma symptoms and provided anthropometrics and a blood sample. The n = 189 participants were mean = 55years old and had glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) mean = 5.5%. Self-reported body size showed excellent validity by strong correlations between body thinness "now" and objectively measured waist circumference (r = -0.35), weight (r = -0.50), and body mass index (r = -0.50). Whereas there was some variability, modal self-reported body size started as normal during peacetime, became thinner during the USA bombing campaign, became emaciated during the Pol Pot regime, and rebounded to normal/slightly heavy "now." Body size during Pol Pot showed the strongest associations with long-term outcomes; thinner body size (greater starvation) was associated with higher trauma symptoms and higher HbA1c even after controlling for age, current waist circumference, and current body mass index. Greater degree of starvation was associated with higher HbA1c and trauma symptoms four decades later.

Evaluating social skills training for youth with trauma symptoms in residential programs.

Youth who receive services in residential programs have high rates of traumatic exposure and associated symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Little information is available on specific social skills training that could be beneficial for youth in residential programs with PTSD. This study examined changes in behavioral incidents and psychopathology in youth receiving group home services based on training they received across three categories of social skills (i.e., self-advocacy, emotional regulation, problem-solving). The sample included archival data on youth (N = 677) ages 10-18 years (M = 15.7 years, SD = 1.53). Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used to examine the frequency of disruptive and self-injurious behaviors over 12 months as it relates to reported traumatic symptoms at admission and the presence of the three types of social skills objectives. Analysis of Covariance was conducted to test whether the social skill objectives differentially predicted changes in youth psychopathology from intake to discharge for youth with low and high trauma symptoms. Youth with high trauma symptoms who received training on problem-solving skills had significantly greater decrease in emotional problems from intake to discharge compared to youth with high trauma symptoms who did not receive problem-solving training (d = -.54). Problem-solving training could be further developed and tested to maximize the support youth with trauma symptoms receive in trauma-informed residential programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Poly-victimization, Trauma, and Resilience: Exploring Strengths That Promote Thriving After Adversity

ABSTRACT Although it is well known that victimization is associated with higher trauma symptoms, there is still limited information on the protective factors that can help people thrive after adversity. Using the Resilience Portfolio Model as a framework, this study explores a range of psychological and social strengths in a community sample of youth from the southern U.S. A sample of 440 youth aged 10 to 21 (average age 16.38, SD = 3.04) was recruited from youth-serving organizations. They completed a survey on trauma symptoms, victimization, other adversities, and 16 psychological and social strengths. Almost 9 in 10 (89.3%) youth reported one or more victimizations, with peer victimizations most common. Adult-perpetrated offenses were reported by almost half of youth (47.1%). Although several psychological and social strengths were inversely correlated with trauma symptoms at the bivariate level, hierarchical regressions indicated that a sense of purpose was the only strength that uniquely contributed to more resilient mental health in a model with all strengths and controlling for victimization, other adversities, poverty, age, and gender (total R2 = .33). The variance explained by strengths (17%) was similar to the variance explained by adversities (15%). In this highly victimized sample of youth, many strengths were associated with lower trauma symptoms for youth, with a sense of purpose showing the most promise. Prevention and intervention programs may benefit from efforts to increase a sense of purpose or other meaning making activities, in addition to efforts that specifically target incidents of trauma.

Victimization and Adversity in Child Welfare Involved Youth: The Cumulative Influence on Child and Caregiver Reported Behavioral Health Symptoms.

Exposure to childhood victimization and adversity (CVA) is pervasive for child welfare (CW) involved youth. However, most research with CW samples has focused on types of maltreatment and fails to recognize the additive influence of exposure to CVA beyond maltreatment. A subsample aged 8 to 17 (n = 1,887) was drawn from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) II. CVA included six domains. Behavioral health was assessed using the Child Depression Inventory, Trauma Symptom Checklist, and the internalizing and externalizing subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between the number of CVA reported and the risk of clinical-range behavioral health symptoms. Analyses were adjusted for the cluster-based sampling design and sampling weights were applied to provide nationally representative estimates. More than 60% of the sample experienced three or more CVA domains. The number of CVAs reported was associated with all four behavioral health outcomes (p < .001). Children exposed to five or more domains were more likely to report high depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 5.0), high trauma symptoms (OR = 7.0), and to have internalizing or externalizing symptoms reported by caregivers (OR = 18.0), as compared with children reporting one or less CVAs. Youth involved with CW are exposed to staggeringly high rates of CVA beyond maltreatment. For children who are already at great risk for behavioral health challenges, research to understand screening and interventions for CVA is needed to inform policy and practice initiatives to prevent and mitigate harm.

Examining Trauma and Readiness to Change among Women in a Community Re-Entry Program

ABSTRACTBackground: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) are common among women who are incarcerated. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between trauma and readiness to change substance use behaviors. Methods: This study used data from 103 participants enrolled in a residential re-entry program for women with SUDs and trauma history. Women reporting clinically elevated Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) subscale scores were compared to those without elevated scores on the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) readiness to change instrument. Primary analyses included t-tests and ANCOVA to control for age and ethnicity. Results: In general, women with clinically elevated trauma scores also reported greater readiness to change. The analyses revealed significant differences on the URICA Readiness to Change scores between women who had elevated Defensive Avoidance and Impaired Self-Reference according to the TSI. Results approached significance for women who had elevated TSI subscale scores for Sexual Concerns and Dissociation. Conclusions: These results point to a need to further understand links between trauma and readiness to change, particularly, the role of posttraumatic growth and psychological distress. This study has implications for social workers and clinicians delivering evidence-based treatment. Women who had high trauma symptoms were more willing to address change. Findings also suggest a need to tailor interventions to include motivational components that are also trauma-informed.

A Pilot Investigation of Media Multitasking and Trauma Symptoms Among Adolescents

Effective prevention and intervention for trauma symptoms are still needed, particularly for adolescents, in whom high-risk behavior is common. This pilot study examines how media multitasking may be related to trauma symptoms in a sample of adolescent college students (N = 55). Results indicate that higher media multitasking is uniquely and independently associated with higher trauma symptoms. These results hold even after controlling for alcohol intoxication, which is commonly associated with trauma symptoms. Adolescents may be more forthcoming in revealing information about media multitasking than other behaviors commonly associated with trauma symptoms, such as alcohol and drug use. The present study provides the first evidence that media multitasking could be an additional tool for clinicians treating adolescents with trauma symptoms.

A pilot study exploring the relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns following burns

Individuals who have experienced burns often have to adjust to distressing changes to their appearance. Trauma symptoms are another common psychological difficulty in the burn-injured population. However, there has been a lack of research exploring the possible relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns in populations where incidents have led to appearance changes, including burns. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns in the burn-injured population. Burn-injured patients (n=33) referred to a Burns Clinical Psychology service completed measures of trauma symptom severity, appearance concerns and changes in outlook. Analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between trauma symptoms and appearance concerns (r=0.41, p<0.01, one-tailed). Participants with higher trauma symptoms had more appearance concerns. Furthermore, negative changes in outlook following the burns were positively related to trauma symptoms (r=0.69, p<0.001, two-tailed) and appearance concerns (r=0.50, p<0.01, two-tailed). Age was negatively related to appearance concerns (r=−0.41, p<0.05, two-tailed) but not trauma symptoms. Gender was not statistically related to trauma symptoms or appearance concerns. Burn injury factors (% TBSA, primary location of the injury, cause of the injury and time since the injury) were not related to trauma symptoms or appearance concerns. In conclusion, trauma symptoms and appearance concerns following burns may be positively related and further research in this area is needed. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Posttraumatic Growth Following the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001: Cognitive, Coping, and Trauma Symptom Predictors in an Internet Convenience Sample.

Cognitive, coping, and trauma symptom predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG; measured with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory) were examined in a large convenience sample (n =1505) participating in a longitudinal Internet-based study following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. Results indicate that initial PTG levels (mean 9 weeks post-attacks) were generally associated with higher trauma symptoms (measured with the PTSD Checklist - Specific), positive changes in worldview (measured with the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire), more denial, and less behavioral disengagement (measured with the Brief COPE). Additionally, PTG had a curvilinear association with level of trauma symptoms, such that those reporting symptoms at intermediate levels reported the highest levels of growth. Levels of PTG declined somewhat over time with the exception of Spiritual Change. As expected, PTG levels at follow-up (mean 6.5 months post-attacks) were primarily predicted by initial PTG levels; however, decreases from baseline ...