Posttraumatic Stress Responses Research Articles

Post-Traumatic Stress in the Pregnancy-to-Postpartum Transition Among Birthing People With Opioid Use Disorder [ID 2683444

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum people with opioid use disorder (OUD) face unique challenges; post-traumatic stress may trigger substance use recurrence and disrupt the parent–infant dyad. However, the effects of traumatic stress in the pregnancy-to-postpartum transition for birthing people with OUD are not well investigated. Our study characterizes post-traumatic stress after birth among people in OUD treatment during the fourth trimester. METHODS: This a priori secondary study uses longitudinal data investigating recovery among postpartum people with OUD receiving buprenorphine. Participants were enrolled during the third trimester and assessed within 2 weeks postpartum. Scores greater than 29 on the PTSD Checklist-Civilian at 2 weeks postpartum identified post-traumatic stress. Other measures included the following: maternal attachment, perceived control in childbirth, trauma history questionnaire, and child welfare involvement. VCU IRB #HM20017030 approved this study. RESULTS: Participants (N=19) were predominantly White (74%). Most (94.7%) endorsed a traumatic event history before delivery of this infant. Eight (42%) met criteria for post-traumatic stress postpartum and identified birth (n=2), infant medical issue (n=3), or unrelated event (n=3) elicited the post-traumatic stress response. Of these, approximately 25% experienced food insecurity and limited health care transportation. These participants reported high levels of maternal attachment (28.1 [SD=4.8]) and perceived control in childbirth (44.3 [SD=6.3]). Most participants reported postpartum child welfare involvement. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of our sample experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms after birth, and two-thirds attributed symptoms to a traumatic birth or infant medical issue. Qualitative investigations are warranted to better understand the patient perspective of these experiences and their unique intersections with OUD treatment and recovery to ultimately improve trauma-informed care strategies.

Psychosocial conditions of children after liver transplant: Post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety

AimThis study aimed to determine psychosocial conditions, post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety of children who underwent a liver transplant. MethodThis is a relational descriptive study, which was conducted between March 2019 and December 2020 in the Inonu University Liver Transplantation Institute Pediatric Liver Transplant Clinic. The “Child Information Form,” “Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index,” “State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children-Trait Form,” and “Children's Depression Inventory” were used to collect data. The study was conducted with 71 children who had a previous liver transplant. ResultsOf the participating children, 56.3% were girls, 63.4% continued their primary school education after the transplant, 32.5% were diagnosed with cirrhosis, 39.4% received the transplant in 2017, 32.4% received it from the mother, and 25.4% received it from a cadaveric donor. Although it had been at least 3 years since the transplant, 47.9% exhibited moderate and 43.7% severe post-traumatic stress responses. There was a significant negative relationship between the age of children with a liver transplant and trait anxiety and post-traumatic stress responses (path coefficients β = −0.268, p = 0.002; β = −0.166, p = 0.023, respectively). There was a significant positive relationship between anxiety and post-traumatic stress responses of the children after the transplant and there was a statistically significant relationship between the path coefficients (β = 0.750; p < 0.001). ConclusionChildren who underwent a liver transplant had post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and trait anxiety.

New sports rules combined with sertraline on Posttraumatic Stress of volleyball players

BackgroundIn competitive sports, trauma and stress reactions are common problems faced by athletes. In order to explore methods to alleviate post-traumatic stress, research focuses on the effectiveness of combining new sports rules with medication treatment.Subjects and MethodsThe study selected 66 volleyball athletes with post-traumatic stress as the research subjects and divided them into an experimental group and a control group. The athletes in the research group received training on new sports rules and personalized sertraline therapy. The control group of athletes continued to receive traditional sports rules training and received placebo treatment at the same dose and time. During the research process, a standardized post-traumatic stress scale was used to evaluate the two groups. Collected data were processed and analyzed by the statistical method SPSS22.0.ResultsAfter a period of experimentation, the volleyball players in the research group showed a decrease in their PTSD scores from the initial score of 80 to 55 after being treated with the new sports rules combined with sertraline. The players in the control group, after receiving traditional sports rules and placebo treatment, experienced a decrease in their PTSD scores from an initial score of 90 to 75.ConclusionsThe research results indicate that the combination of new sports rules and personalized drug therapy has a significant positive impact on post-traumatic stress athletes. New rules and drug therapy can effectively alleviate athletes’ post-traumatic stress response.

Sounds of danger and post-traumatic stress responses in wild rodents: ecological validity of a translational model of post-traumatic stress disorder

In the wild, animals face a highly variable world full of predators. Most predator attacks are unsuccessful, and the prey survives. According to the conventional perspective, the fear responses elicited by predators are acute and transient in nature. However, the long-term, non-lethal effects of predator exposure on prey behavioral stress sequelae, such as anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms, remain poorly understood. Most experiments on animal models of anxiety-related behavior or post-traumatic stress disorder have been carried out using commercial strains of rats and mice. A fundamental question is whether laboratory rodents appropriately express the behavioral responses of wild species in their natural environment; in other words, whether behavioral responses to stress observed in the laboratory can be generalized to natural behavior. To further elucidate the relative contributions of the natural selection pressures influences, this study investigated the bio-behavioral and morphological effects of auditory predator cues (owl territorial calls) in males and females of three wild rodent species in a laboratory set-up: Acomys cahirinus; Gerbillus henleyi; and Gerbillus gerbillus. Our results indicate that owl territorial calls elicited not only “fight or flight” behavioral responses but caused PTSD-like behavioral responses in wild rodents that have never encountered owls in nature and could cause, in some individuals, enduring physiological and morphological responses that parallel those seen in laboratory rodents or traumatized people. In all rodent species, the PTSD phenotype was characterized by a blunting of fecal cortisol metabolite response early after exposure and by a lower hypothalamic orexin-A level and lower total dendritic length and number in the dentate gyrus granule cells eight days after predator exposure. Phenotypically, this refers to a significant functional impairment that could affect reproduction and survival and thus fitness and population dynamics.

Post-Traumatic Stress Response and Appendicitis in Children-Clinical Usefulness of Selected Biomarkers.

Acute appendicitis is an inflammatory process which is one of the most frequent global causes of surgical interventions in children. The goal of the study was to determine whether acute phase proteins, that is, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and cortisol (HC) play a role in the pathomechanism of post-trauma stress response of the organism and to establish the impact of the applied surgical procedure and/or of inflammation on their concentrations. An additional purpose was to establish the clinical usefulness of the studied biomarkers in the diagnostics of appendicitis. CRP concentrations were quantified via the immunoturbidimetric method, while the levels of IL-6 and PCT were assessed using a bead-based multiplexed immunoassay system in a microplate format (Luminex xMAP technology); NGAL, TGF-β1 and cortisol concentrations were determined via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. All the investigated biomarkers were assayed twice, i.e., immediately before the surgery and 12-24 h after its completion. Significant increases in CRP, IL-6 and PCT concentrations were found in all children subjected to laparoscopic surgeries (p = 0.001, p = 0.006, and p = 0.009, respectively) and open (classic) surgeries (p = 0.001, p = 0.016, and p = 0.044, respectively) compared to the initial concentrations. The patients undergoing classical surgery moreover presented with significant (p = 0.002, and p = 0.022, respectively) increases in NGAL and TGF-β1 levels after the procedures. In a group of children undergoing laparoscopic surgery, the appendicitis induced an increase in cortisol concentration, whereas in patients undergoing classical surgery the increase in the levels of this biomarker was caused by the type of performed surgical procedure. Simultaneously assaying the levels of CRP, NGAL and IL-6 (p = 0.008, p = 0.022, and p = 0.000, respectively) may prove useful in clinical practice, enabling the diagnosis of appendicitis in paediatric patients reporting to a hospital with abdominal pains, in addition to data from anamnesis and from clinical or ultrasound examination. The performed study confirms the participation of examined biomarkers in the pathomechanism of post-injury stress reaction of the organism to surgical trauma.

Cognitive Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress in Children 6 Months after Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Admission

This study aimed to identify predictors, especially cognitive predictors, of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children 6 months after Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission. Participants were 55 children aged 6–16, admitted to PICU for at least 8 h. Medical data were collected from patient charts. Cognitive variables (peri-trauma affect, cognitive processing and trauma memory) were assessed by interview and self-report questionnaires 2–4 weeks and 6 months following PICU admission. Acute PTSS at 2–4 weeks were assessed by self-report questionnaire and PTSD at 6 months was assessed by clinical interview. Receiving ketamine in PICU was the only non-cognitive variable associated with PTSS at 6 months. Peri-trauma affect, cognitive processing, and trauma memory significantly and independently accounted for 21% of the variance in PTSS at 6 months even after controlling for acute PTSS (and ketamine). A mediation analysis showed that peri-trauma affect indirectly influenced PTSS at 6 months through its effect on cognitive processing. Conclusions: Cognitive variables significantly contribute to PTSS in children, following PICU admission. Peri-trauma affect influenced PTSS only via disrupted cognitive processing. Prevention or early intervention strategies aimed at helping children develop a complete, contextual trauma narrative may be effective in reducing persistent posttraumatic stress responses in children following PICU.

과학수사관의 외상후스트레스 반응에 대한 질적 연구

This study aims to examine the posttraumatic stress response characteristics experienced by crime scene investigators after conducting crime scene identification work, and their personal coping efforts. Additionally, the study aims to identify organizational support measures desired by crime scene investigators through qualitative research, in order to provide differentiated support. A focused group interview was conducted in July 2022 with nine crime scene investigators, and additional information was supplemented through phone interviews when necessary. Six main themes emerged: painful scenes, unstable daily routines, challenging organizational aspects, personal coping efforts, supportive colleagues and seniors, and psychological support systems. Based on the findings, a psychological support system for the psychological pain of crime scene investigators was discussed, divided into stages of intervention.

Exploring Community Resilience towards Rebuilding Community Identity After the Portapique Mass Shooting in Canada

This research aims to explore the significance of citizen participation in rebuilding a sense of community identity and facilitating the communal healing process in the aftermath of the public shooting in Portapique, Nova Scotia. We approached this research using autoethnography and completed a thematic analysis of the first author’s journal entries written in the ten months following the public shooting. We generated two higher-order themes- posttraumatic stress responses and factors of resilience. These two themes provided the framework on which to organise the data. The findings indicate the significance citizen participation and event organisation have on a community’s ability to exhibit resilience and the detrimental effects that can occur when support is not community-led. Through the lens of participation in community organising (the Portapique Community Build-Up project), participation was the crucial link to building a sense of community identity.

Post-Traumatic Stress Responses among Adults with Life-Threatening Illness: Patients with Cancer

Cancer is a major public health problem that affect patients to suffer symptoms ofpost-traumatic stress anytime

Is exposure necessary? Flash Technique for post-traumatic stress response

Is exposure necessary? Flash Technique for post-traumatic stress response

Evaluation of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress response levels of children and adolescents treated with COVID-19.

The present study showed that COVID-19 infection is a significant risk factor for psychopathology in children and adolescents. •COVID-19 causes multiple physical complications in the body along with significant harmful physiologic mental health effects.After being diagnosed with COVID-19, paediatric and adolescent patients have been engaging in social isolation. • Shutdowns, school closings, minimizing social interaction, and isolating behaviour are some of the measures used to control the pandemic.For kids to develop into healthy individuals, they need social interaction and a safe environment. •The present study showed that COVID-19 infection is a significant risk factor for childhood and adolescent psychopathology.Based on our scaling system, 10% of patients had depression.Forty-four percent of patients' CPTS-RI was above the normal limit, while 4% had a severe stress reaction level.In the female patient population, SCARED and CPTS-RI were significantly high. • These patients need to be evaluated and monitored by paediatric and adolescent psychiatry clinics simultaneously with paediatric clinics.

Posttraumatic stress response following the loss of significant close others in the Great East Japan Earthquake: Fukushima Health Management Survey.

During the Great East Japan Earthquake, many people experienced the loss of family and friends, among other traumatic events. This study sought to clarify the impact of the loss of significant close others on posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), as well as the factors associated with PTSS, among individuals who experienced the loss of significant close others (i.e., bereaved group). Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to men and women (N = 180,604) aged 16 years and older living in municipalities that included evacuated areas surrounding the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which was significantly damaged following an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, causing subsequent radiation leakage; this mailing yielded a 40.7% response rate, with 57,388 valid responses, in 2012. We used the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Specific (PCL-S) to measure PTSS as the outcome variable. Loss of significant close others in the disaster and respondents' relationship with the deceased constituted the explanatory variables. Basic characteristics and disaster-related factors were the confounding variables. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses. The bereaved group showed more severe PTSS than the nonbereaved group, aOR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.50, 1.67]. The risk of developing PTSS increased if the deceased was a respondent's spouse, aOR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.22, 2.29]; child, 1.51 [1.01, 2.25]; or friend, 1.33 [1.16, 1.53]. Individuals who lose significant close others, including both family and friends, in disasters require close mental health care and, if necessary, should be referred for psychiatric treatment.

Rumination and threat-biased interpretation mediate posttraumatic stress and growth responses to military stressors

ABSTRACT We examined the role of rumination and threat-biased interpretation in stress and growth responses to military stressors. Two online surveys were completed by 183 (survey 1) and 393 (survey 2) currently serving or retired military personnel. The surveys measured exposure to potential military stressors (exposure to combat, witnessing the consequences of war, and perceived moral injury), posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS), posttraumatic growth (PTG), and personal wellbeing, with survey 1 including measures of rumination, and survey 2 including a measure of threat-biased interpretation. Path analyses revealed that indirect paths from both witnessing the consequences of war and experiencing betrayal to PTSS were mediated by intrusive rumination and threat-biased interpretation, and that indirect paths from both betrayal and transgressions by others to PTG were mediated by deliberate rumination and threat-biased interpretation. The results reveal the idiosyncratic nature of military stressors, their differential involvement with cognitions that underpin rumination about past events and interpretation of current events, and their relevance to posttraumatic stress and growth in military personnel.

Psychological distress of cancer patients caused by treatment delay during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: Across-sectional study.

ObjectiveThe currents study sought to explore the impact of treatment delay on the mental health for patients with cancer during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic.MethodsTravel restrictions were imposed in most areas of the country between 23 January 2020 and 25 February 2020 owing to the COVID‐19 epidemic. Travel restrictions were lifted from 26 February 2020 to 12 March 2020. The number of new confirmed cases significantly reduced after 12 March 2020. Study participants, comprised of individuals from three distinct groups: (1) 835 cancer patients who attended Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between 26 February 2020 and 12 March 2020; (2) 185 healthy volunteers recruited between 26 February 2020 and 12 March 2020; (3) 168 cancer patients who attended the hospital during the non‐epidemic period (after 12 March 2020). Two outcome measures including patients' posttraumatic stress responses and general psychological distress (GPD) were assessed using the Chinese versions of the Impact of Events Scale‐Revised and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Treatment delay was assessed via counting the time interval from diagnosis to treatment initiation, or from planned treatment date to actual date of therapy. Communication satisfaction was evaluated via a self‐report questionnaire. An independent sample t‐test or Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison. Statistical analysis included Chi‐square test, Mann‐Whitney test and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAll 1188 participants (835 patients with cancer and 185 controls during the outbreak, and 168 patients with cancer during the non‐epidemic period) completed and submitted the questionnaires. A positive association was observed between treatment delays and increased GPD levels (OR 1.716; 95% confidence interval ,CI 1.254–2.348; p = 0.001) as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (OR: 1.545, 95% CI: (1.166–2.047), p = 0.002). Patients who reported good communication with their doctors showed a significantly lower risk of GPD (OR: 0.526, 95% CI (0.348–0.794), p = 0.002) and PTSD (OR: 0.683, 95% CI (0.490–0.951), p = 0.024) compared with patients who reported unsatisfactory communication or had no contact with their doctors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that treatment at a local hospital, treatment delays and unsatisfactory or no communication with cancer‐care professionals were significantly correlated with severe GPD and PTSD symptoms of patients (all p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionThe findings indicate that cancer patients who underwent treatment delays during the COVID‐19 pandemic may become vulnerable to psychological distress. The results showed that effective communication with doctors and cancer‐care professionals during outbreak significantly reduces GPD levels and PTSD symptoms.

MO329: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is Associated With Increased in-Hospital Mortality and With Impairment of Renal, Lung, Motor and Immune Function 1 Year After Discharge For COVID-19

BACKGROUND AND AIMSAKI is the most frequent complication after respiratory failure in COVID-19. AKI increases mortality risk, length of hospital stay and healthcare costs, with possible progression towards CKD. Study aims: (1) evaluation of AKI incidence in 1020 COVID-19 hospitalized patients; (2) comparison of AKI incidence in COVID-19 versus pre-pandemic period; (3) establishment of out-patient follow-up for monitoring kidney, lung, motor and immune function; (4) creation of a biobank for biomarker discovery studies.METHODAKI incidence was calculated matching laboratory and administrative data of 26 214 hospitalized patients in 2018–2019 and in 1020 COVID-19 patients in 2020–2021: KDIGO algorithms were applied for AKI grading. After 12 months from discharge, 232 COVID AKI patients and relative controls matched for age and gender were evaluated for kidney (eGFR, biomarkers of tubular damage NGAL, CCl-14, DKK-3), lung (DLCO, CT scan) and neuro-motor (SPPB, 2-min walking test, post-traumatic stress test-IES) function.RESULTSBefore the pandemic, in-hospital AKI incidence was 18% (10% KDIGO 1, 5% KDIGO 2, 3% KDIGO 3): median age of AKI patients was 69. In-hospital mortality was 3.5% in non-AKI group versus 15% in AKI group in accordance with KDIGO stages. In COVID patients, AKI incidence increased to 37% (20% KDIGO 1.11% KDIGO 2, 6% KDIGO 3): median age of patients was 54. In-hospital mortality was 31% in the AKI group; AKI is an independent risk factor for death. After 12 months from hospital discharge, COVID AKI patients showed a persistent reduction of respiratory function (severe DLCO impairment < 60%) related to the extent of CT scan abnormalities. AKI patients also presented the motor function impairment and a worse post-traumatic stress response. GFR reduction was 1.8 mL/min in non-AKI patients versus 9.7 mL/min in AKI COVID patients not related to age. Urinary DKK-3 and CCL-14 were also higher in the AKI group. Last, IgG response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was significantly lower in the AKI group.CONCLUSIONAKI incidence was significantly increased during COVID-19 in respect to the pre-pandemic period, with an association with higher mortality in class 2–3 KDIGO. In the post-COVID follow-up, AKI was associated with lung and neuro-motor function impairment, a defective antibody response and a sudden GFR decline concomitant to the persistence of tubular injury biomarkers. These results suggest the importance of nephrological and multidisciplinary follow-up of frail patients who developed AKI during hospitalization for COVID-19.Figure 1:Kaplan–Maier curves of survival for hospitalized COVID-19 patients on the basis of AKI-specific cut off of RPA.Table 1.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses for AKI in hospitalized patients with COVID-19UNIVARIATE MODELMULTIVARIATE MODELOdds ratio95% CI P Odds ratio95% CI P Age, years1.000.97–1.03.9600.960.91–1.01.146Male gender0.870.32–2.33.7770.260.05–1.23.090Charlson index1.110.90–1.38.3251.160.89–1.53.266Hypertension2.791.13–6.88 .025 1.250.30–5.30.759Diabetes0.560.14–2.29.422Heart failure1.190.25–5.70.828Creatinine, mg/dL4.841.23–29.13 .026 50.74.62–556.01 .001 RPA < 24 HU2.220.86–5.74.1004.561.27–16.44 .020

Posttraumatic Stress Responses and Psychological Well-being in Norwegian Medical Helicopter Personnel

ObjectiveEmergency medical personnel are exposed to multiple stressors, including those of psychological etiologies. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms in Norwegian medical helicopter personnel and to determine to what degree they report personal growth or deprecation due to exposure to work-related events. MethodsThis was a web-based, cross-sectional survey performed among rescue paramedics and physicians staffing helicopter emergency medical services and search and rescue helicopters between May 5, 2021, and July 5, 2021. Questions included demographic data, the traumatic events exposure index, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (Depression), the posttraumatic change scale, and the posttraumatic symptom scale. ResultsOf the 245 eligible participants, 10 declined to take part and 74 failed to answer, producing a response rate of 66% (72 rescue paramedics and 89 physicians). Of the study population, 3.9 % reported manifest posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and 1.9% described moderate to severe depression and anxiety. The majority (76%) described posttraumatic emotional growth because of their work experience. ConclusionDespite exposure to several traumatic stressors, participants reported a lower prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, and anxiety compared with a Norwegian adult population.

Comparing the training effectiveness of virtual reality and role play among future mental health providers.

The present study compares the effectiveness of a standardized peer-to-peer role play (RP) and a virtual client-trainer (VC-T) in training graduate-level students in the development of interviewing and clinical skills related to working with the military population. The study examines each training modality in six areas: (a) self-efficacy, (b) initial engagement, (c) recognizing and responding to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, (d) recognizing and responding to symptoms of suicide, (e) military cultural competence, and (f) overall competence. A quasi-experimental nonequivalent groups study design was used. The sample comprised students enrolled in a graduate-level program (RP = 61; VC-T = 75). Participants completed pretest measures, attended training, and completed posttest measures. Broadly, the findings revealed that RP and the VC-T are equally effective in increasing trainees' self-efficacy, recognition and response to posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, recognition and response to suicide symptoms, military cultural competence, and overall competence. These results suggest that regardless of training modality, trainees demonstrated increased clinical skills and competencies needed for working with the military population. The results suggest that both RP and the VC-T are equally effective, which opens the possibilities of implementing the VC-T as a training tool that has greater reach compared with RP. As more graduate programs offer an online version of their traditional on-ground coursework, the VC-T is an opportunity to have 1 training platform for both on-ground and online students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Positive side effects in trauma-focusing PTSD treatment: Reduction of attendant symptoms and enhancement of affective and structural regulation.

Trauma-focusing treatments such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are highly effective in reducing the core symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example, intrusive memories and flashbacks, hyperarousal, and avoidance. Additionally, suffering from PTSD is often accompanied by a broader set of mental comorbidities and complaints such as depression, anxiety disorders or somatization, and disturbed self-regulation abilities. According to the Adaptive Information Processing model (Shapiro, 2001), the processing of pathogenic memories can help not only to reduce the PTSD symptoms but also accompanying complaints additionally. In an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment study of 116 patients suffering from PTSD, we targeted the course of additional symptoms and structural skills using the Symptom Checklist-90 SCL-90, Beck Depression Inventory, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, and Hannover Selbstregulationsinventar in a pre-post design. The results showed that apart from alleviating the PTSD symptoms, exposure-based treatment of pathogenic memories led to a significant decrease in accompanying symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and somatization. Furthermore, patients improved their structural abilities with regard to emotional perception and differentiation, controlling impulses, tolerating frustration, and regulating self-esteem. PTSD core symptoms and comorbid complaints are closely interlinked and can be seen as a traumatic-stress cluster, which is accompanied by significant impairments in self- and emotion regulation. Therefore, treatment concepts should explicitly foster emotional processing and structural abilities to target the posttraumatic stress responses entirely. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Empathy With Patients and Post-Traumatic Stress Response in Verbally Abused Healthcare Workers.

Objective The current study examined the differential empathic capacity, post-traumatic symptoms, and coping strategies in healthcare workers (HCWs) according to the exposure of verbal or physical workplace violence (WPV). Methods Using online survey, a total of 422 HCWs employed at a training general hospital of South Korea participated and completed self-reporting questionnaires including the WPV questionnaire with coping strategy, the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. Results Those who experienced either only verbal violence or both physical and verbal violence had lower Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy scores (p<0.05). Posttraumatic stress symptom severity was higher among people who experienced verbal violence than physical violence. HCWs’ exposure to verbal violence was associated with severe posttraumatic symptoms and a low level of empathy with patients (p<0.05). More than half of the victims of verbal violence responded that they did not take any action, receive organizational protection, or peer support, while most physically-abused HCWs received institutional intervention or help from others. Conclusion Our findings highlight the critical importance of reducing verbal violence, which may represent a larger psychological burden compared to physical violence, by actively implementing effective strategies and policies at the institutional level.

Type and duration of emergency recovery work and its longitudinal effects on mental health symptoms among Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant workers: The Fukushima NEWS project study

BackgroundThe Fukushima Nuclear Energy Workers' Support study showed the Fukushima nuclear disaster caused psychological distress in the workers, with higher rates of post-traumatic stress responses (PTSR). To understand how the type and duration of emergency recovery work performed immediately following this disaster impacted workers’ psychological status, a longitudinal analysis was conducted with 4-year follow-up data since 2011. MethodFukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant workers were assessed annually with general psychological distress (GPD) and PTSR questionnaires between 2011 and 2014. Combined, 697 Fukushima Daiichi plant workers provided baseline GPD and PTSR in 2011 and their record of working days for approximately one month immediately following the disaster. The relationship between type of emergency recovery work, working days immediately following the disaster, and psychological distress over four years was analyzed using a mixed effects logistic regression model. ResultsAt baseline, GPD and PTSR scores were significantly higher in nuclear power plant workers who worked 3–5 days immediately following the disaster compared to those who worked only 0–2, particularly in the field engineer subgroup. The effect of working days on GPD remained for over a year, and the impact on PTSR remained significant throughout the four years of observation after the disaster. ConclusionsThe Fukushima Daiichi plant field engineers showed significantly higher psychological distress than other workers. The impact of emergency recovery work on psychological distress persisted for over one year, but PTSR in field engineer workers remained significantly elevated four years after the disaster.