Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale Research Articles

The Efficacy of EMDR-Focused Group Counseling Program Applied to Primary School Students with PTSD Symptoms in Grief Process

The purpose of the paper is to examine the efficacy of the EMDR-focused group counseling program applied to primary school students who show PTSD symptoms in grief process. The research is quasi-experimental, pretest posttest and follow-up design with a control group. Participants were 12 students; the experimental group consisted of 6 students and the control group consisted of 6 students. Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) was utilized in the research. EMDR-focused group counseling program was applied to the experimental group students. For data analysis; Mann Whitney U Test was used for intergroup comparisons; Friedman Test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used for intragroup comparisons. As a result of the analysis, it was revealed that the mean scores of all subscales of CPSS of the experimental group students, who participated in the EMDR-focused group counseling program, differed significantly. In order to identify the measurements causing the difference, multiple comparison tests were conducted. It is detected that the reexperiencing and hyperarousal subscales score means of the experimental group students decreased significantly from the pretest to the follow-up test, the mean score of the avoidance subscale decreased significantly from the pretest to the posttest. Regarding the intragroup comparisons; it was found that follow-up measures of reexperiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal scores decreased significantly in favor of the experimental group. The findings reveal that the EMDR-focused group counseling program is effective in reducing the symptoms of primary school students who show PTSD symptoms in grief process.

Validation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) for Detection of Posttraumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents Following Procedures for Acute Orthopaedic Trauma

OBJECTIVES: The efficiency and validity of PROMIS surveys were determined for pediatric orthopaedic trauma patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a clinic setting. METHODS: Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Single-institution, Level I Trauma Center. Patient Selection Criteria: All consecutive children aged 8-18 years undergoing procedures or surgery for orthopaedic trauma. Outcome Measures and Comparisons: The convergent, divergent, and discriminant validity of the PROMIS Anger and Anxiety computerized adaptive tests (CATs) were evaluated and compared to the previously validated Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). The efficiency in time to completion of the outcome measures was compared between the CPSS and PROMIS surveys. Cutoffs for increased likelihood of PTSD were established for the PROMIS questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 233 subjects were included in this study (mean age 13.1 years with SD 2.8 years, 71% male). The majority (51%) of injuries were sports-related and most (60%) involved the upper extremity. Of those included, 41 patients had high levels of PTSD symptoms on the CPSS (18%; 95% CI=13.1-23.2%). The CPSS took 182 (IQR 141-228) seconds versus 52 (IQR 36-84) and 52 (IQR 36-70) seconds for PROMIS Anger and Anxiety CATs, respectively. Convergent validity showed patient scores on both PROMIS instruments significantly correlated with CPSS scores (Anger: p<0.001, r=0.51; Anxiety: p<0.001, r=0.41). Neither PROMIS score correlated with UCLA Activity Score (Anger: r=-0.26; Anxiety: r=-0.22), a functional outcome measure, demonstrating divergent validity. Both PROMIS instruments sufficiently discriminated across PTSD risk groups (Anger p<0.001; Anxiety p<0.001). A score of at least 53 on PROMIS Anger or at least 48 on PROMIS Anxiety indicated an increased likelihood of PTSD risk. CONCLUSIONS: PROMIS Anger and Anxiety CATs are efficient and valid for evaluating posttraumatic stress in children following orthopaedic trauma procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Implementation and evaluation of the WHO maternity care model: a convergent parallel mixed-methods study protocol.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), intrapartum care is considered a platform for providing respectful, personalized, and women-centered services to women. This study aims to investigate the intrapartum care model proposed by WHO. This convergent parallel mixed-methods study will be carried out in qualitative and quantitative phases. In the quantitative phase (a quasi-experimental study), 108 pregnant women admitted to the maternity ward will be randomized to intervention (receiving intrapartum care based on the WHO model) and control group (receiving routine hospital care) before the beginning of the active stage of labor (cervix dilatation equal to 5 cm) and Wijma's delivery fear scale (DFS) will be completed for them and again at 7-8 cm dilatation. The participants of both groups will be followed up for 6 weeks after labor and then they will be invited to a relatively quiet place to complete the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ 2.0), the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptom Scale (PSS-I), the Pregnancy and Childbirth Questionnaire (PCQ), exclusive breastfeeding and a checklist on willingness to give birth to another child. The qualitative phase will employ content analysis to explain mothers' views about the effects of this model especially subjective components of this model on their labor process after 4-6 weeks. The two phase's results will be discussed in combination. The implementation of such care models is expected to prevent mental disorders caused by negative experiences of childbirth, and also, prevent uncontrolled increases in cesarean sections. https://fa.irct.ir/user/trial/68313/view, identifier (IRCT20120718010324N69).

Abstract P229: Cross-Sectional Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Atherosclerotic Disease Assessed by Coronary Calcium Score: A Counterfactual Model of Older Male Twins

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the causal relationship between PTSD and atherosclerotic burden is controversial, leaving uncertain whether atherosclerosis is implicated in the association between PTSD and cardiovascular events. Objective: To test the cross-sectional relationship between lifetime PTSD and coronary atherosclerotic burden assessed by calcium score by comparing PTSD-discordant twin pairs, a design that inherently controls for familial and early environmental factors. Methods: We examined 218 male twins from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry, who underwent coronary calcium score assessment with computed tomography as part of the Emory Twin Study Follow-Up study. Lifetime history of PTSD was obtained with the Structured Clinical Interview and PTSD symptom severity with the Clinician-Administered PSTD Scale (CAPS) for DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Coronary calcium scoring was performed by the Agatston Method as a measure of atherosclerotic burden. The relationship between PTSD and calcium score was tested across individuals and within PTSD-discordant twin pairs as a counterfactual model for genetic and early environmental factors. Initially, 2 linear mixed models were built according to the exposure variable (PTSD clinical diagnosis or symptoms scale), with log-transformed coronary calcium score as the dependent variable. We defined a priori that the model with the lowest Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) would be the primary analysis to drive the conclusion. Based on a priori direct acyclic graph decision process, we defined the need to adjust for income and education as potential confounders and not to adjust for traditional risk factors, considering their potential roles as mediators. Results: Of the 218 twins analyzed, the median age was 68 (IQR 67-70) years, and the calcium score had a median of 114 (IQR 5.2-347). There were 88 twin pairs (30 monozygotic), 26 discordant for the binary diagnosis of PTSD, and 40 discordant for the ordinal PTSD symptom score (within-pair differences in scale points ranged from zero to 48.5). The model with the best AIC was the one with the PTSD score, and showed no increment of log-calcium score as the PTSD symptoms increased, both between individuals (Beta coefficient = - 0.005; 95% CI = -0.02 to + 0.03) and within twin pairs (Beta coefficient = - 0.010; 95% CI = -0.03 to + 0.01). Conclusion: The present analysis does not support a relationship between PTSD and coronary atherosclerotic burden. The link between PTSD and cardiovascular events may occur through other pathways, such as microvascular disease.

Feasibility Trial of a Newly Developed Brief Psychological Trauma Intervention for Children Surviving Sexual Abuse in India

ABSTRACT Given the alarming increase in incidences of child sexual abuse (CSA), the present study was conceived to conduct a feasibility trial for a brief CSA-focused cognitive-behavioral intervention for children. A quasi-experimental single-group pre-post design with convenient sampling was adopted. The intervention module was administered to 20 children aged 7–13 years (M = 10.4, SD = 1.3) with a CSA history. The intervention was spread across a minimum of six required sessions and a maximum of 12 sessions held weekly for approximately 90 to 120 minutes’ duration to restore the child’s functioning and to assist the child in processing and managing trauma effectively along with initiating the process of growth. Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS), Children’s Impact of Events Scale−13 (CRIES-13), Developmental Psychopathology Checklist (DPCL), Multidimensional Scale for Child Sexual Abuse (MSCSA) and Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) were used to measure the impact of the intervention on the children. Estimation of improvement was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test, effect size and subjective feedback from children. Feasibility assessment was done across five parameters: recruitment, data collection, attrition, adherence and improvement. We found that the intervention led to significant improvement in scores of all scales with a large effect size of .50 for MSCSA and CRIES-13 and medium effect size for CGAS, CRIES-13 (Intrusion & Avoidance), CPSS, and DPCL. Feasibility was estimated to be high across all five parameters of the assessment. Thus, the newly developed intervention was found to be helpful in restoring the child’s functioning, and assisting the child in processing, and managing trauma effectively.

Reliability Generalization Meta-Analysis of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 (CPSS-5)

This study aims to identify the mean alpha coefficients of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS-5) and examine the moderator role of trauma type and study location. We included studies using the CPSS-5 and reporting a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Our analysis of 27 studies (k = 31) revealed a mean alpha coefficient of .91 for the CPSS-5. Mean internal consistency scores for trauma type ranged from .87 to .95. Additionally, studies conducted in North America yielded significantly higher mean alpha scores (M α = .94) than international studies (M α = .87). The CPSS-5 demonstrated reliable measurements across studies, ranging from good to excellent. Trauma type and location (or version of the CPSS-5) may be related to the reliability scores. Individual study characteristics should be considered, and reliability scores should be calculated for individual studies for the suitability of alpha scores for clinical decision-making.

Feasibility of a breath robot intervention to reduce sleep problems in posttraumatic stress disorder: protocol for a randomized controlled study

BackgroundMany patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suffer from sleep problems. Robot-based interventions might be an innovative approach to reduce sleep problems and hyperarousal in PTSD. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of a breath robot in patients with PTSD have never been empirically tested. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a breath robot to reduce sleep problems and hyperarousal in patients with PTSD.MethodsThis randomized controlled feasibility study will include N = 30 adult patients with at least subsyndromal PTSD (PTSD Symptom Scale – Interview-5 (PSSI-5)) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) and impaired sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) > 5). Patients with organic sleep disorders or currently in psychotherapeutic treatment are excluded. Study participants are randomized to receive either a 4-week Somnox 2 robot intervention including simulation of human breath or a 4-week Somnox 2 robot intervention without human breath simulation. The primary outcome will be the proportion of randomized participants providing outcome data at post-treatment. We consider a proportion of > 50% to indicate feasibility. Additional feasibility outcomes include eligibility rate, recruitment speed, uptake, retention, treatment adherence, and dropout. Potential outcomes of effectiveness (sleep quality, PSQI; severity of PTSD symptoms, PSSI-5) will be assessed at two time points, before (T0) and after (T1) the intervention. Sleep characteristics (Consensus Sleep Diary (CSD)) are measured daily.DiscussionThis study is the first to investigate the feasibility of a novel breath robot intervention for reducing sleep problems and hyperarousal in PTSD patients, with effectiveness considered as a secondary outcome. If feasible and effective, the use of a breath robot could be a nonintrusive and flexible intervention to supplement psychotherapy or to bridge treatment gaps.Trial registrationDRKS, DRKS00031063. Registered on 10/012023.

Applying and Extending the Conservation of Resources (COR) Model to Trauma in U.S. Veterans

This was a novel pilot study about the relationship between PTSD severity and resource gain and loss using the conservation of resources (COR) model with U.S. Veterans. Higher PTSD severity was predicted to be associated with greater resource loss scores, and lower PTSD scores were predicted to be associated with greater resource gain scores. The sample size was limited (N = 19) due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Veterans completed a demographic questionnaire, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Combat Exposure Scale (CES), the PTSD Symptom Scale–Interview (PSS-I), the Conservation of Resources–Evaluation (COR-E), and two additional open-ended questions. A statistically significant negative medium effect size was found between PTSD diagnosis and resource gain (r(17) = −0.42, p = 0.039, one-tailed). A large effect size in resource gain scores between PTSD and non-PTSD groups was also found (t(17) = 1.880, p = 0.077, d = 0.87), with the non-PTSD group reporting more gain of resources than the PTSD group. Post hoc tests revealed that the resource gain score of the mild PTSD group was significantly higher than that of the severe + very severe PTSD group (p = 0.034). Results suggest that resource gain, when compared to resource loss, was the strongest predictor for a non-PTSD diagnosis.

A pilot randomised control study to investigate the effect of the South African Adolescence Group Sleep Intervention (SAASI) on adolescent sleep and PTSD.

Background: Trauma exposure prevalence and consequent post-traumatic stress disorder among South African adolescents are significant. Sleep disturbances are among the most frequently reported difficulties faced by those dealing with PTSD. The current study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the South African Adolescence Group Sleep Intervention on PTSD symptom severity and sleep disturbance.Method: Sixty-one adolescents with PTSD diagnoses and sleep disturbance were randomly assigned (1:1) to one individual and four group sessions of a sleep intervention (SAASI) or a control group. Participants completed the Child PTSD symptom scale for DSM5 (CPSS-5) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among other sleep and psychiatric measures. The trial was registered on the Pan African Trial Registry (PACTR202208559723690).Results: There was a significant but similar decrease in PSQI scores in both groups over time indicating no overall intervention effect (Wald test = -2.18, p = .029), mean slope = -0.2 (95% CI: -0.37 to -0.02) (p = .583). On the CPSS-5, interaction between groups was also not significant (p = .291). Despite this overall finding, the mean difference in CPSS-SR-5 scores increased over time, with the difference between groups post-treatment -9.10 (95%CI: -18.00 to -0.21), p = .045 and the 1-month follow-up contrast - 11.22 (95%CI: -22.43 to -0.03), p = .049 suggesting that PTSD symptom severity decreased more in the intervention group than the control group. The dropout rate was higher than expected for both the intervention (n = 10; 32%) and control (n = 8; 26.7%) groups. Dropout were mostly school commitments or travel related.Conclusions: Early findings suggest a trend towards dual improvement in sleep quality and PTSD symptom severity in adolescents with a sleep disturbance and PTSD receiving a group sleep intervention (SAASI). Further investigation in a properly powered RCT with detailed retention planning is indicated.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional Tunisian study

ObjectivesEvaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on Tunisian adolescents enrolled in secondary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytic study on a sample of Tunisian adolescents. Participants were randomly selected from two schools in the region of Hamma (southern of Tunisia). This survey took place during the period extending from 5 March to 26 May 2021. Students were asked to complete a pre-established information sheet which contains questions about socio-demographic features, medical history, knowledge about the pandemic of COVID-19, and personal or family history of being infected with this virus. The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) was used to screen for PTSD among students.ResultsThe sample was composed of 326 students (92 boys and 234 girls; mean age 16.65 years). The prevalence of PTSD was 37.4% according to the CPSS. Adolescents had more PTSD symptoms when they lived in a conflictual family atmosphere (AOR = 3.1 [1.4–6.9]). Moreover, adolescents who were infected by the virus, or whose relatives were contaminated or dead because of the COVID-19 infection, were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms. We stated that students who estimated that their knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic were insufficient had a significant higher risk for PTSD (AOR = 2.5 [1.4–4.6]).ConclusionStudents seemed to have high frequency of PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The identification of risk and protective factors are interesting to guide screening and prevention actions.Key points• Adolescents were vulnerable to psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic, they were more exposed to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.• A total of 37.4% was the prevalence of PTSD among Tunisian adolescents. Sufficient information about the pandemic was protective. Conflictual family atmosphere constitutes a risk factor.• Family and social efforts should be directed toward supporting teenagers to cope with the pandemics’ mental health burden.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Background:Interventions are required that give a lecture depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) indications and social wellbeing.The Psychotherapies aimed at Chronic PTSD randomizedexperimentalestablish that three fourteen -week psychotherapies severelyfurthered patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Earlierinvestigation has describedconstant follow-up assistances for prolonged exposure (PE) and relaxation therapy (RT), but few comparable data exist for interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Mode:Theassociated Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Trauma (IPT-T), an IPT adaptation for this residents and background, to Clinic Psychotherapy (CP). CP clinicians were free to implement the psychotherapy of choice. Women with a major depressive episode (MDE) and history of sexual abuse before eighteen were randomly assigned to IPT-T or CP. Outcomes were MDE remission, improved depression (Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and PTSD symptoms (Modified PTSD Symptom Scale), and developed social health (e.g., UCLA Loneliness Scale). Weighted generalized estimating equations were used to examine outcomes at eight (primary) and twenty (secondary) months post-randomization.Acute responders, defined a priori as _30% improved from baseline, were reconsidered after three-month no-treatment follow-up by independent evaluators using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Conclusion:Evidence-based psychotherapies like IPT-T are desired in CMHCs, where several of the maximumexposed patients obtain treatment. By means ofas good asconclusions for depression, IPT-Ts superior developments in social wellbeing and PTSD symptoms are source for hopefulness. IPT-T should be appraised in dissemination trials.These are the first methodicalstatistics on follow-up responder position and perseverance of acute treatment assistances in patientsacceptanceseparate IPT for prolonged PTSD. Patients usually maintained gains across treatments, mutablemaximum in RT. Study boundariesembraceminor sample size and momentary follow-up interval. PTSD examination should service response and decreasestandards.

Comorbidity Patterns of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms: Cross-Validation in Two Postearthquake Child and Adolescent Samples

Background. Children and adolescents who have been exposed to a major natural disaster are more likely to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. However, only a few studies have examined comorbidity patterns at the symptom level. Furthermore, researchers should validate their findings using multiple samples to address the psychological reproducibility challenge. Methods. The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) were administered to two postearthquake child and adolescent samples (Wenchuan earthquake, N = 1506 ; Ya’an earthquake, N = 720 ). Each sample was followed up twice. Comorbidity patterns were characterized by cross-lagged panel network analysis (CLPN), and communities were determined by bootstrap exploratory graphical analysis (bootEGA). Results. Except for having difficulty remembering important aspects of the trauma, the remaining dysphoria symptoms could be considered bridge symptoms between PTSD and depression. Most often, intrusive and avoidant symptoms clustered together, whereas dysphoria symptoms tended to cluster with depressive symptoms. The relationship between PTSD and depression was reciprocal; within PTSD, intrusive symptoms often triggered avoidance symptoms. The correlation coefficient between the two networks was 0.70, and the correlation coefficient of node centrality was 0.55. Findings. The association between dysphoria symptoms and depression was strong, and intrusive symptoms constituted the core symptoms of PTSD. Depression and PTSD were causally related, explaining the high comorbidity rates. Two sample networks had similar global characteristics but different local characteristics. The conclusions can be generalized to some extent.

China’s image in international sports events on positive psychology and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

BackgroundMajor international sports events will provide great group psychological encouragement to citizens. This study attempts to explore the impact of major international sports events on national positive psychology and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).Subjects and Methods The research subjects were 268 patients who underwent PTSD treatment at a domestic public hospital between June 2020 and June 2023. These patients were randomly and evenly divided into an experimental group and a control group. In the experiment, the control group was required to observe major foreign sports events for at least 30 minutes every day, but there were no Chinese teams present during the events. The experimental group needs to watch international major sports events of the same type as the control group, but there are Chinese team matches included in the viewing content. The intervention lasted for 14 days, and the PTSD Symptom Scale Interview (PSS-I) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) tests were conducted on both groups of patients before and after the experiment.ResultsBefore and after the experiment, there was a significant difference in the PSS-I and SDS scale scores between the two groups of patients. Moreover, the overall scale data of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group.ConclusionsWatching major international sports events that are conducive to building China’s national image can enhance the positive psychological level of the people and treat PTSD symptoms.

Implementing depression care in under-resourced communities: a school-based family resilience skill-building pilot randomized controlled trial in the United States.

Youth in under-resourced communities are more likely to have greater social risk factors for mental health needs yet have less access to needed care. School-based mental health services are effective in treating common disorders such as adolescent depression; however, few have a family-centered approach, which may especially benefit specific populations. Utilizing a community-partnered approach, we adapted an established, trauma-informed, resilience skill-building family intervention for adolescents with depression. We conducted a small randomized controlled feasibility pilot of an adapted intervention in a large school district that serves predominately low-income, Latinx students in the Southwest United States between 2014-2017. Youth between the ages of 12-18 years old with a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) score of 10 or higher, who spoke English or Spanish, were recruited from 12 school mental health clinics. Twenty-five eligible adolescents with depression and their participating caregivers were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either the adapted intervention, Families OverComing Under Stress for Families with Adolescent Depression (FOCUS-AD), or usual care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) only. Most of the sample was Latinx and female. We evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness. Among participants who completed standardized assessments administered at baseline and approximately five months post-randomization (n = 10 FOCUS-AD, n = 11 CBT only), effectiveness was explored by identifying significant changes over time in adolescent mental health within the FOCUS-AD and CBT only groups and comparing the magnitude of these changes between groups. Nonparametric statistical tests were used. We found the FOCUS-AD intervention to be feasible and acceptable; participant retention was high. Adolescent symptoms of depression (measured by the PHQ-8) improved significantly from baseline to follow-up for youth in both FOCUS-AD (median decrease [MD] = 10, p = 0.02) and control (MD = 6, p = 0.01) groups, with no significant difference across the two groups. Results were similar for symptoms of PTSD (measured by the Child PTSD Symptom Scale; FOCUS-AD MD = 12.5, p = 0.01; CBT only MD = 7, p = 0.04; no significant difference between groups). Family-centered approaches to depression treatment among adolescents living in under-resourced communities may lead to improved mental health, although further research is warranted.

The Incidence of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Children.

To determine the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and risk factors for their development in children and adolescents undergoing orthopaedic surgery for trauma. Prospective cohort study. Level-1 trauma center. Children (8 to 18), undergoing surgery for orthopaedic trauma. Upper and lower extremity surgery for orthopaedic trauma. PTSD symptoms at postoperative follow-up as determined by the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). A total of 176 children with an average age at surgery of 13 years (8 to 18.8 years) participated in the study. Twenty-six subjects had high levels of PTSD symptoms (15%; 95% CI = 10.0 to 21.1%). Univariable and multivariable analyses determined that female sex (OR 2.63, 95% CI = 1.06 to 6.67, P = 0.04), older age at surgery (OR 1.25, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.51, P = 0.02), and undergoing a previous surgery (OR 2.86, 95% CI = 1.06 to 7.73, P = 0.04) were all associated with increased PTSD risk. Children and adolescents experience a high level of PTSD symptoms (15%) after surgery for orthopaedic trauma. Clinicians should be aware of PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents after surgery for orthopaedic injuries and use comprehensive screening to facilitate timely intervention and treatment. II.

Trajectories of Traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Siblings of Children With Cancer: The First Two Years Post-Diagnosis.

Identify and describe trajectories of cancer-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among siblings of children with cancer within two years of diagnosis. Siblings (aged 8-18; M = 11.2 years) across the United States, and for each, one caregiver, were recruited for a cohort sequential longitudinal study with three data collection points six months apart beginning at 6- or 12-months after cancer diagnosis. Siblings (N = 229; 42% of eligible/approached; 53% identifying as female; 68% identifying as non-Hispanic White) completed the Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale. Caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and growth mixture modeling (GMM) identified PTSS patterns across time. Fit statistics supported models with three to five PTSS trajectories. The three-class LCGA model included a large mild PTSS group (61%), a moderate PTSS group (35%), and a small (4%) stable severe PTSS group. The four-class LCGA and three- and four-class GMM included groups improving from moderate to mild PTSS (7-21%) and worsening to moderate PTSS across time (12-17%). Across models, siblings with mild PTSS had fewer caregiver-reported emotional and behavioral difficulties on the SDQ. A large group of siblings of children with cancer demonstrate resiliency, however, substantial subsets experience patterns of PTSS that include levels in the moderate-to-severe range during the first two years post-diagnosis. Future research should examine these patterns in more diverse/representative samples and identify factors associated with increasing and sustained severe PTSS to inform intervention targets and reduce cancer-related burden on families.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth in Chinese adolescents after tornado: Cross-lagged panel network analysis.

Existing literature has yielded mixed results regarding the relationships between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). The recent network analysis provided opportunities to investigate the associations between PTSS and PTG on a more fine-grained level. Previous cross-sectional network analyses were unable to address the directionality of the temporal relationships between components of PTSS and PTG. Therefore, the current study aimed to model cross-lagged network of components of PTSS and PTG with longitudinal data to unveil the direction of their relationships. A sample of 202 adolescents (Mage = 14.36, 38% boys) who survived the Yancheng tornado were assessed with the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) at 9, 12, and 18 months following the tornado. Two cross-lagged panel networks were examined to model the temporal associations between components of PTSS and PTG. The T1-T2 Network was much denser than the T2-T3 Network. The majority of cross-cluster edges were directed from PTSS to PTG. Interestingly, two major components of PTSS, Avoidance and Intrusion shared vastly different relationships with PTG. While Intrusion positively predicted components of PTG, Avoidance exhibited negative predictive value on PTG. The study highlighted the differential relationships that Intrusion and Avoidance shared with the PTG components, suggesting that interventions could benefit from mitigating avoidance and incorporating intrusion into positive change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Validation of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool Sibling Module Follow-Up Version.

Psychosocial screening is recommended to connect siblings of youth with cancer to psychosocial services, but the lack of validated sibling-specific screening tools is a barrier to routine screening. The current study aimed to validate and establish a clinical cutoff for the recently developed Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) Sibling Module follow-up version to address this barrier. Parents (N = 246) completed the PAT Sibling Module follow-up version for all siblings within their families ages 0-17years (N = 458) at three time points between 6- and 24-month post-cancer diagnosis. For one target sibling within each family aged 8-17 years, parents also completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the target sibling completed the Child PTSD Symptom Scale. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses examined internal consistency and convergent and predictive validity. Receiver operator characteristic analyses were used to establish a maximally sensitive and specific clinical cutoff. Internal consistency was acceptable for all age versions (Kuder-Richardson 20s ≥ 0.79), except for the ages 0-2 version, which had low internal consistency at 18 months post-diagnosis (Kuder-Richardson 20 = 0.57). Convergent (r values >0.7, p values <.001) and predictive (r values >0.6, p values <.001) validity were strong at each time point. An optimal clinical cutoff of 0.32 was identified (range: 0.00-1.00). The PAT Sibling Module follow-up version is a reliable and valid screener for sibling psychosocial risk following cancer diagnosis. Validation of a sibling-specific screener and establishment of a clinical cutoff are necessary first steps to addressing siblings' unmet psychosocial needs and improving trajectories of sibling functioning.

Birth-related posttraumatic stress disorder and negative childbirth experience related to maternal functioning among adolescent mothers: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAdolescent pregnancy is an important issue in terms of reproductive health. Adolescent mothers have to overcome two crises at the same time: motherhood and maturity. Childbirth experience and posttraumatic stress disorder may influence the mother’s perception of her infant and postpartum care behaviors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 202 adolescent mothers referring to health centers in Tabriz and its suburbs between May and December, 2022. Data were collected by PTSD Symptom Scale, Childbirth Experience Questionnaire 2.0, and Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning. The association between childbirth experience, posttraumatic stress disorder and maternal functioning was assessed by multivariate analysis.ResultsAfter adjusting the effect of socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, the score of maternal functioning among mothers without posttraumatic stress disorder was statistically significantly higher than mothers with posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis [β (95% CI) = 2.30 (0.39 to 4.20); p = 0.031]. The score of maternal functioning increased with the increase in the childbirth experience score [β (95% CI) = 7.34 (3.87 to 10.81); p < 0.001]. The score of maternal functioning among mothers with wanted sex of baby was statistically significantly higher than unwanted sex of baby [β (95% CI) = 2.70 (0.37 to 5.02); p = 0.023].ConclusionHealthcare professionals should pay special attention to improving maternal functioning among adolescent mothers. One of the important actions can be to create a positive experience of childbirth for avoiding of posttraumatic stress disorder following birth and counseling with mothers who stated sex of fetus is undesired.

Child Maltreatment, Mental Health, and Self-Reported Health Among Adolescent Girls in Child Welfare: Mediating Pathways.

Child maltreatment is common in the US and has been shown to be associated with physical and psychological health problems in adolescence and adulthood. Based on the allostatic load theory, this study examined the association between different types of child maltreatment (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and physical neglect) and self-rated health, and the mediating roles of post-traumatic stress and depression in these relationships. Participants were 249 girls involved in the child welfare system, ages 12-19 years, the majority of whom were African American. A one item self-reported general health measure, the Child Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) and the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) measured self-reported health, child maltreatment,and posttraumatic and depression symptoms, respectively. Higher levels of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and physical neglect were significantly associated with poorer ratings of health. PTSD and depression were significant mediators between histories of childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and physical health. In conclusion, results indicate that the pathways from child abuse to physical health problems in adolescents are through psychological distress. Trauma focused interventions to reduce symptoms of PTSD and depression among this vulnerable group of adolescents are essential to improve health.