Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Victims Research Articles

Prevalence and patterns of post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of intimate partner violence

IntroductionIt’s a well-known fact that violence, particularly repetitive violence or violence lasting several years, as is often the case with intimate partner violence (IPV), has a severe psycho-traumatic impact. Although not all women are affected to the same degree or in the same way, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common mental health consequence of IPV.ObjectivesTo assess the psycho-traumatic impact of IPV on female victims. To study the factors associated with PTSD among these women.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional observational study, carried out over a 10-month period from March 2021 to December 2021, among female victims of IPV consulting psychiatric emergencies at UHC Hédi Chaker, Sfax, Tunisia for medical expertise at the request of the court. We studied the PTSD in these women using the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Scale (PCLS).ResultsThe total number of participants was 120 with an average age of 37.27 years. The majority had secondary education or less (62.5%), were professionally active (53.3%), and were financially dependent on their partners (26.7%). As for the women’s clinical characteristics, 19.2% were under psychiatric care, 15% had attempted suicide and 10% had a history of childhood abuse. Regarding the couple’s profile, marriage was arranged in 58.3% of cases, and the average duration of marriage was 12.34 years, exceeding 10 years in 44.2% of cases.The impact reported by our women was 100% psychological and 96.7% familial. As a result, 75.8% had sought help from family and friends, and 55.8% had decided to separate from their partners.According to the PCLS scale, 78.3% of female victims showed PTSD with a positive score > 44. It was associated with a higher number of suicide attempts (p=0.04), a marriage duration exceeding 10 years (p=0.02), help-seeking (p=0.001), and divorce (p=0.014).ConclusionsPTSD is a particularly serious psychiatric condition. However, its impact remains insufficiently understood and taken into account in medical, psychological, social, and legal care. Knowing the psycho-traumatic consequences of violence is absolutely essential to better protect, support, and care for victims.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; What is Behind the Invisible Wounds??!!!

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the mental disorder that is encountered in sufferers who experienced or witnessed any kind of distressing events involving life threatening situations or extreme physical harm. Unfortunately, such a disorder significantly hurts the spirit, soul, mind, emotions, memories, and physiological body functions. It is a complicated condition that can be under-reported, missed, or undiagnosed, accordingly, raising public awareness about its etiology, manifestations, and prompt ways to deal with is crucial for its early diagnosis and proper intervention that will improve the quality of life of its sufferers dramatically. As not all wounds are visible and those invisible wounds are very difficult to treat and unlikely to disappear, it is important to collaborate efforts to understand and respect the suffering of PTSD victims and support them to bypass such a drastic disorder.

The virtue of religious faith and its relationship to posttraumatic stress disorder in victims of torture: the unique outcomes of men and women

ABSTRACT Three aspects of religious faith: faith-as-faithfulness; faith-as-trust; and faith-as-experience were examined in the lives of torture survivors with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Fetzer Scale items: Positive and Negative Religious Coping (PRC & NRC), Religious Practices (RP), and Daily Spiritual Experiences (DSE) were applied to a sample of 111 asylees. While none of the correlational hypotheses from the total sample showed a significant association between the variables of PRC, RP, and DSE to PTSD, a post hoc gender analyses revealed significant posttraumatic responses between women and men. Men showed a positive and significant association between PTSD, PRC and NRC, and women, a significant, negative association between Religious Social Support and PTSD. A multiple regression analysis investigated whether NRC, RP and DSE would predict significant variance with PTSD. Only NRC was shown to be a unique, significant predictor of PTSD above and beyond any beneficial effects of Religious Social Support (RSS).

Exhibition Review: Tuan Andrew Nguyen: Unburied Sounds

Exhibition Review: <i>Tuan Andrew Nguyen: Unburied Sounds</i>

Cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder: meta-analysis

BackgroundChildren and adolescents who experience traumatic events may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often associated with other psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely used in psychotherapy to treat PTSD in children and adolescents. This meta-analysis evaluated previous studies on the effectiveness of CBT in the treatment of PTSD in children and adolescents. MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before July 25, 2021, were retrieved from seven databases. All RCTs of CBT compared to control, including conventional treatment or other treatments, in children or adolescents with PTSD. Random effect models were employed for all outcomes. Risk of bias was performed by Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The publication bias was evaluated using the Egger's regression analysis. ResultsNineteen RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with control, CBT was effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD in children and adolescents, with a variety of scales used to measure the overall PTSD symptoms: CAPS (SMD = −0.41, 95%CI [−0.71, −0.12]), CPSS (SMD = −0.88, 95%CI [−1.42, −0.34]) and UCLA-PTSD RI (SMD = −1.70, 95%CI [−2.98, −0.42]). Furthermore, CBT also improved the comorbidities of depression (SMD = −0.43, 95%CI [−0.70, −0.17]) and anxiety (SMD = −0.29, 95%CI [−0.56, −0.03]) associated with PTSD. However, CBT was not effective in reducing avoidance symptoms (SMD = 0.38, 95%CI [−0.55, 1.31]). ConclusionCBT can reduce the severity of PTSD in children and adolescents and improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as evident in the treatment of PTSD victims of sexual abuse and war and in patients aged more than 7 years.

Mirando al Cuidador: Personas Significativas de Quienes Sufren de Trastorno de Estrés Post-Traumático

Según Helzer et al. (1987) y Pérez-Olmos et al. (2005), el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) tiene una prevalencia en el mundo del 1% al 4%. Es un trastorno que surge después de un acontecimiento traumático significativo. Tras la vivencia de un evento traumático, el cuidado de las víctimas con TEPT es imperativo. Por lo que los cuidadores directos o personas significativas al ser testigos o conocer del evento traumático tras convivir con la persona diagnosticada con TEPT, corren el riesgo de sufrir Trastorno de Estrés Traumático Secundario (TETS) (Figley, 1995). Por tanto, ¿quiénes son las personas significativas de las víctimas primarias que corren el riesgo de sufrir TETS? ¿qué signos, síntomas y trastornos mentales manifiestan tras la vivencia indirecta del evento y cuidado directo de la víctima primaria? Este estudio implicó una revisión narrativa de 321 estudios publicados entre el 2000 y 2017 en bases de datos académicas tales como EBSCO, LILACS, Pubmed, PsycINFO y SciELO. Se encontró que el 75% de las investigaciones identificaron a la pareja como persona significativa. Asimismo, los signos y síntomas de las personas significativas eran la tensión, angustia y problemas de pareja. Además, problemas en las relaciones sociales como la evitación al apego y las suposiciones negativas del mundo. Concluí la necesidad e importancia de realizar investigaciones sobre la persona significativa, así como su cuidado físico y mental. Esto permitirá combinar el conocimiento teórico con el trabajo de campo consiguiendo un adecuado esquema de prevención, tratamiento y control enfocado en la víctima secundaria.

The Psychological Impact of the Covid-19 Lockdown on Medical Students of a College in North India

In response to COVID 19 spread Government of India imposed lockdown across the country to preventthe spread of virus and thus protecting the health of the community. This happened with restrictions tobe at home and between the media hype of pandemic which may lead to a rise in the stress, anxiety, anddepression among the community. Universities started online classes in between lockdown. Online classeswould not solve the purpose of the students are not in a status to absorb the learnings and concepts. So beforestarting the online classes an online survey was done among the medical students to observe any distress andhelp them to come out of it to make online classes successful.An online questionnaire was made using the Impact of event scale- revised (IES-R) to assess the stressamong medical students. The questionnaire was posted on the batch WhatsApp group of students across allsemesters with a message showing the purpose of the study and how to approach the form. The decision offilling the form was kept completely on a volunteer basis.The response was received from a total of 331 medical students among them 130(39.3%) and 201(60.7%)were males and females respectively. The mean score was 21.60 still 38.95 students were prone to be victimsof Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and there was no significant difference between males and females.Involvement with family was found to be inversely associated with stress, possible financial instability inthe future, and uncertainty about the duration of MBBS and exams were positively associated with stress.

Group Play Therapy for Preadolescents: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of Natural Disaster Victims in Indonesia

Background: This study was motivated by the failure of coping and adaptation to traumatic experiences that cause a wide, deep, and long-term snowball effect that may not be reversible. Objective: This study aims to test the effectiveness of the implementation of group play therapy in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) victims of natural disasters in three provinces in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: The study employed an explanatory mixed methods design. The procedures and steps taken in this study refer to the research and development cycle. The subjects and objects of the study were 106 male and 92 female preadolescent students of junior high school in three provinces in Indonesia. Results: Traumatic counselling through group play therapy techniques has the effect of reducing post-traumatic stress disorder on victims of the tsunami disaster in three provinces in Indonesia. The first study conducted in Lombok West Nusa Tenggara province obtained the results of the calculation of the value μ2 = 0.021 for the value of μ1&gt; 0.05. The second study in Palu, Central Sulawesi Province obtained the results of the calculation of the value of μ2 = 0.018 for the value of μ1&gt; 0.05, and the third study in Anyer, Banten province obtained the results of the calculation of the value of µ2 = 0.011 for the value of µ1 &gt; 0.05. Conclusion: Teaching and practising the skills of traumatic counselling using using Group Play Therapy can handle PTSD victims of natural disasters that significantly change victims.

Implementing psychosocial programming at a level 1 trauma center: results from a 5-year period

BackgroundThe primary goal of the present study is to describe the psychosocial support services provided at our institution and the evolution of such programming through time. This study will also...

Depression influence on memory and executive functions in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, victims of the army conflict in Colombia.

Introduction: Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric pathology. It is characterized by the fact that the subject has been exposed to stressful situations which have caused them physical, emotional and mental instability in different aspects of their daily life. The subjects diagnosed with PTSD show a clinical picture of severe depression which is related to a deficit in their neurocognitive functioning, especifically in memory tasks (operative memory and inmediate verbal memory) and in executive functions (semantic verbal fluency, inhibition, planning and control of their immediate conduct). Objective: To indentify the influence of depression on memory and the executive functioning in patients with PTSD who are victims of the army conflict in Colombia. Methodology: Participants: 50 people diagnosed with PTDS, depression, and without dementia (35 men and 15 women) participated in this study. The individuals were enlisted from the unit of victims affiliated with the municipality of Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia in a period of time from 2015 through 2017, and a control group of 50 healthy subjects with the objective to compare the results and be able to establish differences and intra-group robust results. Results: Individuals with PTSD show a higher depressive symptomatology than the ones in the control group. It was found that depression is related to the deficit in the immediate verbal memory, operative memory, and the executive functions in subjects with PTSD victims of the army conflict in Colombia.Conclusion: It is necessary to make plans for functional neurorehabilitation for individuals diagnosed with PTSD in order to improve their quality of life and to slow down their clinical picture to a posttraumatic dementia diagnose. The government needs to create mental health policies designed to counteract this neuropsychiatric pathology ;our main goal ,and the neurocognitive functioning, neurobehavioral/emotional, individual, and family neurorehabilitation of people with PTSD victims of the army conflict in Colombia, thus preventing clinical pictures of post-traumatic alexithymia.

A Trauma-Adapted Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness Intervention for Patients with PTSD After Interpersonal Violence: a Multiple-Baseline Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate a trauma-adapted intervention for survivors of interpersonal violence that combines psychoeducation and specific mindfulness-based exercises developed for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with formal practices from mindfulness-based stress reduction and loving-kindness meditation. Fourteen patients with PTSD after interpersonal violence participated in eight treatment sessions. The intervention was evaluated in a nonconcurrent multiple-baseline across-individuals design. From baseline (2, 3, and 4 weeks, randomly assigned) until 8 weeks after the intervention, self-reported PTSD symptoms and well-being were measured on a weekly basis. The intervention was further assessed through self-ratings and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) administered prior to treatment, immediately after treatment and at a 6-week follow-up. Tau-U analyses showed for the majority of the 12 completers a significant reduction of PTSD symptoms and a significant increase in well-being. Furthermore, we found large effects on PTSD symptoms as measured by the CAPS-5 (Hedges’ g = 1.66), as well as on depression (Hedges’ g = 1.08) and psychological distress (Hedges’ g = 0.85), complemented by relevant increases in mindfulness skills and self-compassion. This study contributes evidence that mindfulness and loving-kindness are useful for reducing PTSD in victims of interpersonal violence, especially when the intervention is tailored to the specific needs of these patients.

Yoga for Healing: An Analysis of the Effects of Yoga Practices On Military Victims of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The practice of yoga has been associated with healing and well-being for centuries. With the recent surge in its popularity, research to yoga’s healing properties have found many ways in which it can be incorporated into a wide variety of treatment programs. One area of interest is the treatment of military combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research into the use of yoga as supplemental treatment through its interdisciplinary psychophysical effects and mindfulness training have found it to be extremely beneficial. In this article, the psychophysical aspects of yoga and how they interact the physical and psychological symptoms of PTSD are discussed and linked with the treatment plans used for military veterans. It also addresses the issues of the specific military culture and the pressures associated with fulfilling the valorous role of the perfect solider. Physical effects of yoga help patients with alleviating allosteric load to increase the chances of a healthy recovery and maintaining homeostasis, while the psychological effects include increased levels of mindfulness that help veterans complete trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TFCBT), as well as by regaining their sense of self-control and mastery of psychological processes. With the prevalence of this disorder in the military population along with the comorbidity of suicide, new alternative treatments should be considered to decrease the number of deaths from this devastating disorder. Thus, the psychophysical effect of yoga’s mind-body connection incorporated into military culture can be beneficial to those who have done the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of our country.&#x0D;

Altered default mode network configuration in posttraumatic stress disorder after earthquake: A resting-stage functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

The neural substrates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are still not fully elucidated. Hence, this study is to explore topological alterations of the default mode network (DMN) in victims with PTSD after a magnitude of 8.0 earthquake using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).This study was approved by the local ethical review board, and all participants signed written informed consent. Sixty-two PTSD victims from the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and 62 matched exposed controls underwent rs-fMRI. PTSD was diagnosed by Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, and underwent PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version for symptom scoring. The DMN was analyzed by using graph theoretical approaches. Further, Pearson correlation analysis was performed to correlate neuroimaging metrics to neuropsychological scores in victims with PTSD.Victims with PTSD showed decreased DMN functional connectivity strength between the right superior frontal gyrus and left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), and showed increased functional connectivity between the right IPL and precuneus or left posterior cingulate cortex. It was also found that victims with PTSD exhibited decreased nodal efficiency in right superior frontal gyrus and precuneus, and increased nodal efficiency in right hippocampus/parahippocampus. Apart from that, PTSD showed higher nodal degree in bilateral hippocampus/parahippocampus. In addition, the functional connectivity strength between the right IPL and precuneus correlated negatively to the avoid scores (r = -0.26, P = .04).This study implicates alteration of topological features on the DMN in PTSD victims after major earthquake, and provides new insights into DMN malfunction in PTSD based on graph theory.

Heart rate variability associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in victims’ families of sewol ferry disaster

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is caused by a major traumatic event, has been associated with autonomic nervous function. However, there have been few explorations of measuring biological stress in the victims’ family members who have been indirectly exposed to the disaster. Therefore, this longitudinal study examined the heart rate variability (HRV) of the family members of victims of the Sewol ferry disaster. We recruited 112 family members of victims 18 months after the disaster. Sixty-seven participants were revisited at the 30 months postdisaster time point. HRV and psychiatric symptoms including PTSD, depression and anxiety were evaluated at each time point. Participants with PTSD had a higher low frequency to high frequency ratio (LF:HF ratio) than those without PTSD. Logistic regression analysis showed that the LF:HF ratio at 18 months postdisaster was associated with a PTSD diagnosis at 30 months postdisaster. These results suggest that disrupted autonomic nervous system functioning for longer than a year after trauma exposure contributes to predicting PTSD vulnerability. Our finding may contribute to understand neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying secondary traumatic stress. Future studies will be needed to clarify the interaction between autonomic regulation and trauma exposure.

The complex link between forgiveness, PTSD symptoms and well-being in female victims of intimate partner stalking

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and poor general health reported by female victims of intimate partner stalking (IPS) and victims’ forgiveness or lack of forgiveness towards their perpetrators, controlling for escalation of stalking, age of victims and dispositional forgiveness.Design/methodology/approachA total of 120 Italian female victims of IPS, who had obtained an administrative protective order (PO) issued by police in stalking cases (Ammonimento), took part in a retrospective study that examined the relationship between the presence or absence of victims’ forgiveness of perpetrators and victims’ PTSD symptoms and general well-being. Interviews took place after one, two or three years following the PO.FindingsAll participants reported some level of direct or indirect stalking, and up to 98 per cent had suffered both. In half of all cases, a PO had been breached within a year of its issuance. Positive forgiveness was not associated with lower PTSD symptoms and was marginally associated with well-being. Negative forgiveness (e.g. holding a grudge, desiring revenge) was associated with greater PTSD symptoms; holding a grudge was significantly associated with poorer general health.Research limitations/implicationsVictims of IPS experience a state of fear and anxiety due to the constant risk of being attacked, followed and controlled. Compared to studies about the protective role of forgiveness in community couples, this study found that among couples where stalking is present not only positive forgiveness does not take place at the same rate, but it is also not associated with the increased well-being. On the contrary, lack of forgiveness by stalked victims was related to PTSD symptoms and poorer health. Harbouring negative feelings, such a desire for revenge and holding a grudge towards a perpetrator, worsened woman’s mental health. These findings are novel and may assist the criminal justice system, law enforcement and service providers in their efforts to help women who are victims of IPS.Originality/valueThis study addresses the relationship between forgiveness and lack of forgiveness among victims of IPS and PTSD symptoms and victims’ poor health. Although longitudinal studies are needed to establish any causal relationship between stalking and mental health and the possibly mediating effects of forgiveness, this study is a first contribution to this important field of inquiry.

Cognitive profiles of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and depression in children and adolescents

Background/Objective: Several diagnostic criteria of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are remarkably similar to symptoms reported by individuals with depression, particularly as they manifest as cognitive processing deficits in children. Because of this overlap in profile and the high rate of comorbidity of PTSD and depression (48% to 69%), pinpointing similarities/differences in cognitive processes related to each of these disorders is essential to accurate diagnosis. This study aims to examine cognitive performance profiles of 23 children who have been victims of PTSD and to compare their results with 23 children with depression and 24 controls. Method: Empirical study, observational and descriptive methodologies were performed using several neuropsychological tests to assess IQ, attention, memory and executive function. Statistical comparisons between groups were made using the non-parametric Kruskall-Wallis test and post-hoc analyses were conducted using a Mann Whitney U test, as well as Quade's co-variance analysis. Results: Data show different profiles of cognitive performance in those with PTSD compared to those with depression and controls. Conclusions: The findings suggests that PTSD and depressed children differ somewhat in their cognitive profiles, and the differences in IQ found between those with PTSD and those without are not necessarily a confounding variable, but may rather be a consequence of their traumatic experience.

Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático según el DSM-5: versión forense (EGS-F)

This study deals with the development of a forensic version (EGS-F) of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptom Severity Scale according to DSM-5 criteria. The aim of this paper is intended to assess the symptoms severity of this mental disorder, as well as to detect probable malingering and symptom exaggeration among victims of gender violence in a forensic context. The sample consisted of 526 victims of sexual or family violence who sought therapy and 74 victims of the same kind who filed a complaint in court. Symptom severity was higher in victims assessed in the forensic context than in victims assessed in the clinical context. Items designed to detect probable malingering adequately discriminated between the two groups (t=7.3, g=0.97). A cut-off point of 2 in the subscale of malingering is appropriate to correctly classify the 74% of probable malingerers. This scale is useful for forensic assessment in victims of PTSD.

P.4.f.002 - Post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of terrorist attacks: a comparison with the impact of other traumatic events on patients’ lives

P.4.f.002 - Post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of terrorist attacks: a comparison with the impact of other traumatic events on patients’ lives

PROTOCOLO DE SCREENING DE HIPERVIGILANCIA EMOCIONAL EN EL TRASTORNO DE ESTRÉS POSTRAUMÁTICO EN VÍCTIMAS DE VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO

Abstract:This research faces the gender violence from a cognitive perspective and within the context of emotional hypervigilance specifically. The main objective of this research consists on designing a screening to detect Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) protocol in victims of gender violence (domestic), based on the Emotional Stroop. Moreover, from this perspective, we have analyzed variables directly related to the gender violence (domestic) crime, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In this study we show the effectiveness and significance of this test as a detector of PTSD in victims of gender violence (domestic).Keywords: Emotional Stroop, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Gender Violence (domestic), abuse.Resumen:Esta investigación se sumerge dentro de la violencia de género desde una perspectiva cognitiva y en concreto, desde el contexto de la hipervigilancia emocional. El objetivo fundamental de la presente investigación es el diseño de un protocolo de screening para detectar el Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) en víctimas de violencia de género (doméstica) , basado en el Stroop emocional. Además, desde esta perspectiva se han analizado las variables relacionadas directamente con este delito de violencia de género(domestica) como son el Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT). En el presente estudio presentamos la efectividad y significación de esta prueba como detector del TEPT en víctimas de violencia de género (doméstica).Palabras Clave: Stroop Emocional, Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT), Violencia de género (doméstica), Maltrato.

A Systematic Review of the Literature on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Victims of Terrorist Attacks.

This article was aimed at systematically reviewing the literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among victims of terrorist attacks. Electronic and hand searches of the literature identified 35 studies addressing PTSD prevalence based on validated diagnostic interviews. Overall, in the year after terrorist attacks, 33% to 39% of direct victims developed PTSD, whereas the percentage of indirect victims with PTSD was lower (4% in the affected community, 5%-6% among emergency, rescue, and recovery workers, and 17%-29% among relatives and friends of the injured or killed victims), but nonetheless above the prevalence in the general population. With the passing of time, a significant reduction of PTSD can be expected in the affected community and in the emergency and rescue personnel, but not in the injured victims, in the relatives and friends of the injured or killed victims, and in nontraditional, more vulnerable disaster workers. The implications of these results for the psychological treatment of terrorism victims are discussed.