History Of Trauma Research Articles

Adverse life events among bedouin and jewish women and the risk for postpartum depressive symptoms.

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10-15% of postpartum women with increased risk among women with trauma history. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between adverse life events and postpartum depressive symptoms among Bedouin and Jewish women. A cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary hospital in the southern district of Israel on women with singleton deliveries between November 2021 and March 2022. Eligible women completed two questionnaires to determine exposure to childhood trauma (CT) and other potentially traumatic events (PTE), including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Lifetime Events Checklist questionnaire (LEC). To measure risk for PPD we used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The associations between CT, PTE, and risk for PPD were analyzed and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to control for potential confounders. A total of 201 women were included, 120 Bedouin (59.7%) and 81 Jewish (40.2%). In the entire study population, both CT and PTE were independently associated with risk for PPD (adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.02-4.44, p = 0.043 and adjusted OR = 3.42, 95%, CI 1.46-8.00, p = 0.004, respectively). While among Bedouin women, PTE was independently associated with PPD risk (adjusted OR = 4.83, 95% CI 1.66-14.05, p = 0.004), no significant association was found among Jewish women. Both CT and PTE were associated with increased PPD risk in Bedouin and Jewish women. Only PTE, and not CT, was associated with PPD among Bedouin women. Understanding risk factors for PPD, and differences among minority groups, could promote prevention efforts for PPD.

Strangulated pericardial hernia presenting as a case of STEMI; when the disease misleads the physician; a very rare case report

Introduction and Importance: The pericardial hernia is a rarely encountered clinical condition characterized by the herniation of the abdominal viscera into the pericardial cavity. Trauma precedes the development of these hernias in most cases, yet iatrogenic intervention and congenital-defect are other potential causes. Case Presentation: A male aged 60 years old, with no history of previous trauma, presented with epigastric pain and was diagnosed with a case of STEMI. After the treatment, the patient continued to deteriorate and developed repeated vomiting. Surgical consultation was counseled which recommended a plain erect abdominal radiograph that revealed air-fluid levels. During surgery, the surgeon noticed strangulated jejunum protruding into the pericardium, and the case was diagnosed as a pericardial hernia. Clinical Discussion: Pericardial hernias could be congenital or acquired and trauma is regarded as the commonest cause in adults. According to the history and clinical presentation the cause could be an old forgotten trauma which has led to the small defect formation and protrusion of the jejunum. Trauma is regarded as the commonest cause however cases can pass unnoticed. the clinical presentation of this patient was initially related to acute coronary syndrome and was treated with Primary Coronary Intervention, later a co-existing cause or probably the initiating cause was found to be pericardial hernia. Conclusion: The diagnosis of the case makes a significant challenge which requires a high index of suspicion due to the rarity of the condition, variable clinical presentation, and the delayed development of symptoms.

Beyond the womb: pontine hemorrhage’s impact on maternal and fetal outcomes: a case report from Nepal

Introduction: Strokes cause 37% of cardiovascular-related deaths in women, with 40% during delivery and 50% postpartum. Pontine hemorrhage, a rare cerebrovascular disease, can occur during pregnancy and postpartum, requiring complex diagnosis and management Case Presentation: A 33-year-old primipara female presented with headache, vomiting, and altered consciousness at 15 weeks and 5 days gestation. She had no history of head trauma, involuntary urine passage, cough, shortness of breath, palpitation, or per vaginal bleeding. Psychiatric and neurology consultations were conducted to address her symptoms. Discussion: Pontine hemorrhage is a rare condition affecting pregnant women, causing mild symptoms like vertigo, ataxia, and dysphagia. Our patient underwent an initial blood investigation with imaging of her brain (CT and MRI) to establish the diagnosis of pontine hemorrhage. It’s believed to be caused by hormonal fluctuations, but studies haven’t proven it. Stroke during pregnancy is rare, with only 10% occurring during the antepartum period. Diagnosis requires a multidisciplinary approach with history, clinical examination, and radiological imaging like CT and MRI. Treatment involved antiplatelet therapy which ensured favourable maternal and fetal outcomes in our patient. Conclusion: In summary, this case demonstrates the rare incidence of pontine hemorrhage during pregnancy. It highlights the diagnostic challenges and successful treatment with antiplatelet therapy, emphasizing the necessity for a comprehensive approach to ensure favorable maternal and fetal outcomes.

Effects of a Brief Self-Compassion Online Intervention on Complex Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Chinese University Students With Trauma History: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a brief 10-day online self-compassion intervention, lasting around 25 min per day, in reducing complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) symptoms among university students with trauma history. Method: We adopted a 2 (intervention group vs. control group) × 3 (pre-test vs. post-test vs. one-month follow-up) randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Results: Seventy-seven participants completed the study; repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a reduction in total CPTSD scores post-intervention. There was medium effect size of the intervention on disturbances in self-organization symptoms. Network analysis of CPTSD symptom changes and intervention conditions showed that changes in avoidance of external trauma cues, worthlessness, emotion dysregulation, feelings of isolation, and nightmare symptoms were directly associated with the intervention condition. Conclusions: The pilot RCT suggests the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the online self-compassion intervention for CPTSD symptoms among university students.

A rare case report: Brucellosis as an extreme cause of shoulder subluxation and rotator cuff tendinopathy

Rationale: Shoulder subluxation and rotator cuff tendinopathy is commonly associated with degeneration or trauma, and brucellosis has been reported to be correlated with shoulder subacromial bursitis, arthritis. However, brucellosis as a cause of shoulder subluxation and rotator cuff tendinopathy has never been reported in the English medical literature. Patient concerns: A 46-year-old man complained of left shoulder weakness and limited movement ongoing for 1 month. He was primarily diagnosed with shoulder subluxation and rotator cuff tear based on magnetic resonance imaging, and was advised to undergo arthroscopic rotator cuff surgical repair. Diagnoses: Although rotator cuff tear was diagnosed in another hospital, some doubts remained. First, a tendon profile with a relative high signal in T2-weighted magnetic resonance images in the supraspinatus tear area still existed. The findings were clearly different from the usual full-thickness rotator cuff tear, and no tendon profile could be found in the tear area. Second, degenerative rotator cuff tear mainly occurs in the aged population and this patient was relatively young, without a history of trauma. His left shoulder was painless but the weakness and the limited movement were extreme and all of these factors did not support the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear. Some infectious disease was suspected to be the cause and relevant laboratory tests were conducted. This patient was eventually diagnosed as having brucellosis-associated shoulder subluxation and rotator cuff tendinopathy based on positive serum standard tube agglutination test and buffer plate agglutination test for brucellosis. Interventions: Oral drug therapy with rifampicin and doxycycline was used for 8 weeks. Outcomes: A complete response with normal shoulder strength and movement was achieved at 8 weeks. At the one-year follow-up no signs of recurrence were detected. Lessons: Brucellosis-associated shoulder subluxation and rotator cuff tendinopathy may be misdiagnosed as a rotator cuff tear in magnetic resonance imaging and be further managed with indeterminate arthroscopic repair. A comprehensive understanding of the patient’s previous medical history, imaging and laboratory data and a careful physical examination are of great clinic value for the accurate diagnosis of the condition and the subsequent prognosis of the patient.

Dermatopathology.

A 48-year-old man presented with a new, large, painless, pedunculated lesion on his right medial thigh. It had grown rapidly over the course of a month with no history of trauma or of a pre-existing lesion at the site. Clinical images and histopathological correlation were reviewed and the diagnosis subsequently discussed.

Trauma Prevalence and Its Association With Health-Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Persons with Opioid Use Disorder.

Trauma screening is recommended for pregnant persons with opioid use disorder (OUD), but there is limited literature on screening results from buprenorphine treatment. This study's objectives were to 1) describe the types, and severity, of traumatic events reported and 2) evaluate the associations between trauma and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Baseline data from an ongoing trial were analyzed. Participants were 155 pregnant persons with OUD receiving, or enrolling in, buprenorphine treatment at one of 13 sites. The experience, and relative severity, of 14 high magnitude stressors were assessed with the trauma history screen. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29+2 was used to assess 8 HRQoL domains. Traumatic stressors were reported by 91% of the sample (n = 155), with 54.8% reporting a lifetime persisting posttraumatic distress (PPD) event and 29.7% reporting a childhood PPD event. The most prevalent lifetime PPD event was sudden death of a close family/friend (25.8%); physical abuse was the most prevalent childhood PPD event (10.3%). Participants with lifetime PPD, relative to no PPD, reported significantly greater pain interference (P = 0.02). Participants with childhood PPD, relative to no PPD, had significantly worse HRQoL overall (P = 0.01), and worse pain intensity (P = 0.002), anxiety (P = 0.003), depression (P = 0.007), fatigue (P = 0.002), and pain interference (P < 0.001). A majority of pregnant persons enrolled/enrolling in buprenorphine treatment reported persisting posttraumatic distress with sudden death of close family/friend being the most prevalent originating event; clinicians should consider the impact that the opioid-overdose epidemic may be having in increasing trauma exposure in patients with OUD.

"I Felt Dirty in a Way a Shower Wouldn't Fix": A Qualitative Examination of Sexual Trauma-Related Mental Contamination.

Trauma-related mental contamination (MC) is a distressing sense of dirtiness that arises absent a contaminant following a traumatic event. Existing work has linked MC to more severe posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among individuals with sexual trauma histories and has begun to characterize some aspects of the experience of trauma-related MC. However, a more nuanced understanding of how individuals experience and respond to trauma-related MC is lacking. The present study explored lived experiences of trauma-related MC among a sample of 34 women with sexual trauma histories using semi-structured qualitative interviews. Women were asked about MC across several domains, including somatic locations where trauma-related MC is experienced; triggers for trauma-related MC; and engagement in MC-related coping strategies, including washing behaviors. Women reported experiencing trauma-related MC in various bodily locations (internal, external, and both). Both overtly trauma-related triggers (e.g., trauma-relevant people or words, sexual contact) and non-trauma-related triggers (e.g., sweating, being around other people) were mentioned. Women also reported experiencing a variety of emotions alongside trauma-related MC (e.g., disgust, shame, anger) and using a range of strategies to cope with trauma-related MC, including washing behaviors, distraction, and substance use. Findings suggest that triggers for and responses to trauma-related MC are heterogeneous. Future work should explore the role of context in individuals' experiences of and responses to trauma-related MC, as well as whether experiences of trauma-related MC may differ by gender or across settings. Increased understanding of trauma-related MC may inform efforts to more readily and effectively identify and target MC in clinical practice.

The dyadic effects of posttraumatic stress symptoms on the regulation of respiratory sinus arrhythmia following an acute stress induction among couples.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) can have detrimental influences on both individual and couple functioning, including how individuals respond to stressors and regulate emotions. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) can serve as a key indicator of emotion regulation; however, few studies have examined psychophysiological stress reactions within a couple's context. Forty-three couples (N = 86 individuals) with a trauma history were assessed for PTSS and RSA at baseline. One partner then completed a stressor task using a film-clip depicting sexual assault. Afterward, the couple was reunited and completed a dyadic discussion task where both partners' RSA was continuously measured while they discussed the stressed partner's thoughts and feelings about the stressful film-clip. Moderated repeated measures actor-partner interdependence models were conducted, examining the self and coregulation of RSA and moderation of such regulation by PTSS. There was significant self-regulation from both partners, and a coregulation process whereby the nonstressed partner's RSA influenced the rate of change in RSA of their stressed partner. Additionally, greater PTSS in the nonstressed partner was associated with a weakening of both self and coregulation. Patterns of both self- and coregulation, within and between romantic partners emerged and illustrate the impact of PTSS within these dyadic physiologic processes. Findings have theoretical and clinical implications in physiological dyadic interactions and potential stress recovery, particularly emphasizing the relevance of examining biomarkers such as RSA among partners with a trauma history during recovery from stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Convexity dural arteriovenous fistula with Sylvian-Labbé collateral pattern: A case report.

Convexity dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) is associated with high-grade dAVF and is usually presented with aggressive clinical presentation. Precise diagnosis and understanding the pathogenesis are important to achieving successful treatment without complications. We report a case of dAVF with Sylvian-Labbé collateral pattern, concerning embryological development that was thought to be involved in the vascular architecture and pathogenesis of dural AVF. Thus, a 60-year-old man was presented with sudden onset of seizure with no history of trauma. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed cortical hemorrhage in the left precentral gyrus. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed the convexity dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) involving a vein that appeared to be the vein of Labbé, the drainer was anastomosed with superior middle cerebral vein (SMCV) and formed the varix. With the successful treatment with trans-arterial embolization (TAE), obliteration of dAVF was achieved with no neurological deficits. This case highlights convexity dAVF with the complex relationship between embryological development and the arcade of venous drainage route, wherein the anomaly might be acquired and caused by elevated venous pressure in a vein that appeared to be the vein of Labbé. Gaining knowledge of the embryological basis may aid in a deeper understanding of acquired pathologies.

The Ohio Adventure Therapy Coalition: A Statewide Trauma Informed Group Work Initiative for Youth Involved in CPS

ABSTRACT Youth involved in the child welfare system need creative ways to meet their needs. One type of active group intervention, adventure therapy, is currently gaining momentum as an additional support for youth with trauma histories. The Ohio Adventure Therapy Coalition (OATC) developed an implementation model to support youth workers in facilitating adventure therapy groups across the state with a focus on trauma-informed care and involving providers in a parallel process, so they can personally understand the process of adventure therapy. A pilot study collected data from youth, parents and providers looking at overall mental health functioning and trauma symptoms. Overall, youth reported significant improvements in overall mental health functioning, while parents reported significant overall improvements as well as improvements on five subscales as measured by the Youth Outcomes Questionnaire. Providers reported significant decreases in youth trauma symptoms, behavioral and emotional needs and risk behaviors as captured by the CANS.

Seventh Generation: Voices of the Rezilient

In this phenomenological study, we examined the meaning of resilience for seventh generation Pueblo people who took part in the historic Water Protector movement against the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. Using focus group data from eight Pueblo participants, four themes were developed: (a) Creating Interconnectivity, highlighting the significance of resilience in fostering connections with all living beings and things across time; (b) Cultivating Resilience, emphasizing the role of relationships, especially with women caregivers and role models, in nurturing resilience; (c) Being Resourceful to Overcome Oppressive Hurdles, involving awareness of historical trauma, proactive actions like protests, and patience for change; and (d) A Way of Healing, illustrating how resilience serves as a source of healing through engagement in spiritual practices of prayer, ceremony, love, forgiveness, and sovereignty. These findings may encourage counseling psychologists to reflect Indigenous epistemologies of resilience for genuine decolonization of the psychological literature.

Investigating swollen joints in dogs and cats

Dogs and cats can present with acute or chronic swollen joint(s) which may or may not be associated with concurrent systemic signs of illness. Joint swelling may occur spontaneously, or with a history of trauma or previous surgery. Such cases can pose a diagnostic challenge, and understanding the underlying pathophysiology relating to the potential diagnoses is key to informing further investigations, achieving a prompt diagnosis and initiating appropriate early treatment. No diagnostic test should be interpreted in isolation, and every case requires thorough history taking, physical examination and selective use of blood testing and imaging. In conjunction with this, arthrocentesis in an invaluable tool suitable for general practice as well as referral practice. Practitioners should be encouraged to use arthrocentesis early in the diagnostic process to guide their management of patients with swollen joints, thereby optimising patient outcomes.

Outcomes of surgically treated sialoceles in 21 cats: A multi-institutional retrospective study (2010-2021).

To report the outcomes of cats that underwent surgical correction for sialoceles. Multi-institutional retrospective cohort study. Twenty-one client-owned cats. Medical records were examined of cats diagnosed with sialocele, which underwent surgical intervention over an 11-year period at one of 10 referral hospitals. The data collected included signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, histopathology, surgical procedures performed, and postoperative complications. The most common presenting complaints for cats with sialocele included dysphagia and ptyalism. Only two cats had a recent history of trauma, and one was diagnosed with a concurrent sialolith. Most displayed visible tissue swelling, with ranulae being most common. Surgical treatment consisted of sialoadenectomy and/or marsupialization. Intraoperative complications occurred in three cats, and postoperative complications in five cats. No recurrence or development of contralateral sialoceles were reported during the follow-up period (30-968 days). The majority of cats did not have a clear underlying cause for developing a sialocele. The sublingual and mandibular salivary glands were presumed to be the most commonly affected. Mandibular and sublingual sialoadenectomy and/or marsupialization provided resolution of clinical signs to the 21 cats that underwent these procedures. Sialocele, although rare, should remain a differential diagnosis when managing cats with relevant clinical signs. Surgical intervention appears to offer resolution of signs with apparently low overall risk of complication or short-term recurrence. In cats it is necessary to evaluate whether sialoadenectomy is necessary, or whether marsupialization alone should be attempted as a less invasive first-line surgical intervention.

Acne Keloidalis Nuchae: A Multicenter Retrospective Study of 142 Hispanic Patients

Introduction: Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a primary cicatricial alopecia with mixed infiltrate. It is more common in African or persons of African descent. Objectives: Our objective was to describe the epidemiology and clinical and trichoscopic presentations of AKN in a large series of Hispanic patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study from 10 different dermatological centers in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of AKN treated by 12 dermatologists experienced in trichology from 2018 to 2022 were included. The Umar classification system was used to determine severity. Results: We identified 142 patients with AKN: 98% were male (n=140) with a mean age of 32 years; 108 patients had a previous history of trauma to the nuchal area (76%, p&lt;0.001); and 48 were positive for a history of acne (33.8%, p=0.021). Patients with &gt;50 months of evolution were mainly classified in classes III and IV compared to patients with an evolution of &lt;50 months (30%, n=9 vs. 14%, n=15; p=0.019; respectively). Conclusion: AKN should be considered in the differential diagnosis in the Hispanic population. Advanced stages of the disease are correlated with chronic evolution.

Giant left spontaneous diaphragmatic hernia repair via combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches.

Spontaneous diaphragmatic hernias (DHs) are uncommon, yet potentially hazardous. To prevent consequences, timely diagnosis and treatment are necessary. A 54-year-old male presented to the emergency room with dyspnoea, cough and tachycardia; he had no history of trauma. Diagnostic imaging revealed a substantial left DH, indicating the need for surgical intervention. The intraoperative examination identified a transverse colon and omentum herniation. Dissection, reduction of the contents, primary sutures of the defect and dual mesh reinforcement accomplished the laparoscopic and thoracoscopic DH repair. This case underscores the importance of timely detection, precise surgical intervention and comprehensive post-operative monitoring when utilising a multidisciplinary approach to manage DHs. It serves as a reminder to exercise caution regarding DHs, particularly in circumstances devoid of traumatic aetiology and the benefits of combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches.

Intratarsal Keratinous Cyst at the Eyelid Margin: A Case Report.

An uncommon case of an intratarsal keratinous cyst at the lid margin is described in a 73-year-old Asian man using long-term antiglaucoma eye drops. There was no history of trauma or surgery of the upper eyelid. A yellow solid mass attached to the tarsal plate had been located there for about 3 years. It imitated a sebaceous gland carcinoma or steatocystoma simplex. Excision biopsy showed cystic formation and leaked yellow creamy substance without hair. Histopathological and immunological findings helped make the diagnosis of an intratarsal keratinous cyst. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of an intratarsal keratinous cyst at the lid margin.

The prevalence of facial canal dehiscence: first cross-sectional study in Iraq

BackgroundThe facial nerve is considered a crucial structure and is vulnerable to injury during middle ear and mastoid surgery. The facial canal could be dehiscent in certain populations; therefore, identifying it and avoiding injury to the nerve is an important step during otological surgeries. In this study, we assessed the rate of facial canal dehiscence (FCD) among patients undergoing surgery due to the presence of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM).MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed between June 2019 and May 2023. We included 102 patients (aged 8–70 years), admitted for primary tympanomastoid exploration due to the presence of CSOM with and without cholesteatoma at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok/Iraq. Cases with a history of trauma or craniofacial abnormalities were excluded from the study. Also, none of the selected patients complained of facial nerve disorders.ResultsAmong the 102 patients who were admitted, 11.76% (n = 12) had FCD; they were between the ages of 11 and 58 (average: 30.9) years (18.8% ≤ 18 years vs. 10.5% > 18 years, p = 0.396). The dehiscence was more common in males than females (14.3% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.545) and was also more common on the left side than the right side (13.8% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.547). Of those with the dehiscent facial nerve, 83% (n = 10) had the dehiscence on the tympanic segment. The dehiscence was statistically more common in patients with cholesteatoma than those without (25.9% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.014).ConclusionDehiscence in the facial nerve can be encountered in patients with CSOM, particularly those with cholesteatoma. In such patients, the dehiscence is most commonly found on the tympanic segment of the facial nerve, so care should be taken during surgery for such cases to avoid injury of the nerve.

The Association of Mental Health Symptoms to Post-Traumatic Nightmares Among Treatment Seeking Active Duty Service Members.

Posttraumatic nightmares (PTNs) are common among service members with a history of combat or mission-related trauma and are associated with decreased well-being. Unfortunately, beyond establishing an association between mental health symptoms and PTNs, the existing literature fails to provide a more comprehensive understanding of factors associated with PTNs. The effectiveness of current recommended treatments is frequently debated, with the literature varying in levels of support. Treatment of PTN is complicated, given their association with a number of mental health difficulties including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The present study sought to better delineate the association of these difficulties with PTNs, in an effort to inform and improve treatments for the nation's service members. This study utilized de-identified data collected during standard procedures for an interdisciplinary intensive outpatient program for service members with a history of traumatic brain injury and/or psychological health conditions (N = 1,550). Study analyses were performed under a Walter Reed National Military Medical Center institutional review board-approved protocol. Three cross-sectional forward likelihood ratio logistic regressions predicting the presence of PTNs were conducted while controlling for the alpha-blocker prazosin, as it is recommended for the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares. Separate models were created for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety because of multicollinearity concerns. Additional variables considered for inclusion were psychological symptoms (e.g., suicide ideation, postconcussive symptoms), satisfaction with life, sleep (e.g., pain that disrupts sleep, early awakenings, sleepiness), demographics (e.g., sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, age), and military characteristics (e.g., rank, branch, special operator status, time in service). PTSS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.13), anxiety (OR: 1.19), and depression (OR: 1.19) were associated with increased odds of PTNs when controlling for prazosin. Each of the final models accounted for a significant amount of variance in the presence/absence of PTN. The included variables differed across models. The PTSS model included pain that disrupted sleep, postconcussive symptoms, special operator status, and early awakenings. The anxiety model included postconcussive symptoms, pain that disrupted sleep, special operator status, and prazosin use. The depression model included postconcussive symptoms, pain that disrupted sleep, special operator status, difficulty falling asleep within 30 min, and prazosin use. Although most variables were associated with an increased odds of PTNs, postconcussive symptoms in the PTSS model and special operator status in all 3 models were associated with decreased odds of PTNs. These findings are illustrated in Tables2 to 4. Findings support the association of PTSS, anxiety, and depression to PTNs, and, importantly, suggest that other factors may be equally or more important in understanding PTNs. Notably, increased odds of PTNs were observed among patients with pain that disrupts their sleep. The cross-sectional nature of the study allows examination of these co-occurring symptoms as they would present in the clinic, potentially informing assessment and treatment strategies; however, it precludes consideration of temporal relationships. Results highlight the importance of considering comorbid symptoms and relevant military characteristics to gain a more complete understanding of PTNs. Future research utilizing longitudinal methods are needed to inform the temporal/causal aspects of these relationships.

A month in review: longitudinal dynamics between daily PTSD symptom networks, affect, and drinking behaviors in female college students

IntroductionSexual victimization (SV) is common among college women, with approximately half of those who have experienced SV meeting criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a year. Both SV and PTSD are associated with alcohol misuse among college women, often explained by the self-medication hypothesis. Existing literature focuses on overall PTSD severity rather than potential day-to-day fluctuations in specific symptoms, which might play a crucial role in understanding alcohol misuse risk. Studies also examine only same-day or next-day associations between PTSD and drinking, neglecting the potential for longer-term changes.MethodsThis study explores the short-term longitudinal stability and time-lagged predictive dynamics of PTSD symptoms, affect, and drinking behavior among 174 female college heavy episodic drinkers over four weeks. Participants were categorized into three groups: those with a history of SV and PTSD (n = 77), women with SV but without PTSD (n = 59), and women without prior trauma history (n = 38) to be able to examine differences by trauma exposure, and PTSD. We compared the longitudinal stability of PTSD symptom networks, affect (arousal, positive affect, and negative affect), and drinking behavior across groups. Support vector regression determined which PTSD symptom networks and affect best predict drinking behavior at specific time lags within a 0-7 day range.ResultsThe PTSD group showed higher longitudinal stability for PTSD symptom networks (adjusted ps &amp;lt;.049) and arousal (adjusted ps &amp;lt;.048), but lower stability for negative affect (adjusted p =.013) and drinking behavior, including alcohol cravings (adjusted p =.019) and consumption (adjusted ps =.012), compared to the comparison groups. This suggests individuals with PTSD have more stable symptoms and arousal levels but greater fluctuations in negative affect and alcohol-related behaviors. Secondary analysis revealed PTSD symptom networks optimally predicted alcohol cravings with a three-day time lag (r=.88, p &amp;lt;.001) and consumption with a four-day time lag (r=.82, p &amp;lt;.001).DiscussionThese findings challenge assumptions regarding immediate effects of PTSD and affect on drinking behavior and underscore the need for therapeutic approaches that consider longer-range effects. Future research should expand on these findings by incorporating longer-range assessments and exploring a broader range of symptom interactions.