Rationale: High-intensity psychological and physiological stress contributed greatly to development of cardiac disorders in contemporary society. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Synaptotagmin-7 (Syt7), a Ca²⁺ sensor with high affinity, has been associated with synaptic transmission and tumor progression, but its role in cardiac stress responses remains poorly defined. Methods: Corticosterone (CORT) was used to induce stress injury in vivo and in vitro. The expression of Syt7 was modulated by genetic knockout, injection of adenoviral siRNA or injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) shRNA. Cardiac function and remodeling were evaluated by echocardiography, electrocardiography, and histological staining. Necroptosis was analyzed by propidium iodide (PI) staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release detection, and necroptosis marker levels. Ca²⁺ overload, ROS production, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, and bioenergetic profiling were assessed to evaluate mitochondrial function. Co-IP assay was performed to detect protein interaction, and ChIP- qPCR was performed to assess transcriptional regulation. Results: Syt7 expression was significantly upregulated in both cardiomyocytes and heart tissues exposed to CORT. Both genetic knockout and cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown of Syt7 significantly preserved cardiac function and rhythm, and alleviated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in CORT-treated mice. Mechanistically, Syt7 regulated necroptosis by promoting calcium overload, ROS production, mitochondrial ΔΨm dissipation, and mPTP prolonged opening. Notably, Syt7 interacted with transcription factor p53 and enhanced p53- mediated transcription of Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer (Bak). Syt7, p53 and Bak constitute a novel signaling axis to regulate mitochondrial dysfunction and necroptosis. Therapeutically, cardiac delivery of Syt7-targeting siRNA via adenoviral vectors significantly alleviated structural remodeling, electrophysiological instability, and myocardial necrosis in CORT-challenged mice. Conclusions: The study identified Syt7 as a novel upstream regulator involved in cardiomyocyte necroptosis triggered by stress stimuli through a p53-Bak-mPTP pathway. Therapeutic targeting of Syt7 offers a promising strategy for protecting the heart against psychological or neuroendocrine stress-related injury.

Introduction: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has been criticized for its reliability and validity, including for the major psychological injuries [Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), chronic pain-related disorders, and neurocognitive disorders, pertinent for mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)/persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS)]. Methods: This review article examines both the mental health/psychiatric and legal literature on the DSM-5 and its criticisms. The DSM-5 uses a polythetic approach, which leads to many complicating ways of expressing disorders (e.g., PTSD). Disorders related to chronic pain refer to somatic symptom disorders (e.g., with predominant pain), which leads to less focus on the chronic pain itself. The neurocognitive disorder diagnosis includes minor and major classifications, but excludes moderate ones. The international diagnostic system (International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)) and alternate approaches to psychiatric nosology [the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) and Hierarchal Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP)] do not help resolve these issues. Results: The comprehensive literature review undertaken indicates the limitations of the DSM-5 clinically and in court, especially for psychological injuries. The article includes tables and boxes that complement the text with specificities related to the issues raised. Conclusions: The article recommends supplementary diagnostic criteria for the three major psychological injuries (PTSD, chronic pain, and MTBI) for forensic use. This paper is an original contribution to improving the diagnostics/description and forensic use of the major psychological injuries: aside from the paper’s clinical contributions, these disorders/conditions are contentious in court, and their better specification in diagnosis, as attempted herein, is important to undertake forensically.

This study examines how addiction within marriage functions as a site of psychological injury for Palestinian women, generating depression, panic, and moral injury under conditions of secrecy, stigma, and social surveillance. Drawing on thematic analysis of 30 detailed testimonies from Palestinian women in digital peer support forums, the research examines the collapse of marital trust, the corrosion of intimacy, and the moral disorientation that addiction precipitates. Findings reveal that women endure betrayal, emotional withdrawal, and chronic vigilance, manifesting in anxiety, sleeplessness, and somatic complaints. Shame, cultural codes of honor, and fear of social judgment intensify isolation and suppress disclosure, while limited access to gender responsive services perpetuates distress. The concept of moral injury illuminates how deception, abandonment, and coerced silence violate women’s core values, leaving wounds of conscience alongside fear-based trauma. Coping repertoires include prayer, secrecy management, selective disclosure, and strategic disengagement, often aimed at survival rather than transformation. By situating addiction within the intersecting pressures of patriarchy, occupation, and stigma, the study argues for culturally attuned interventions that prioritize ­dignity, confidentiality, and community-based recognition of women’s injuries.

Public safety personnel (PSP) have higher rates of work-related psychological injuries compared to the general public. Occupational therapists frequently provide rehabilitation and return to work (RTW) services for PSP. In order to understand the usage of occupational therapy (OT) treatment with psychologically injured PSP from British Columbia, Canada, a descriptive quantitative approach was used to explore summary data provided by WorkSafeBC (WSBC) for psychologically injured PSP who had an accepted mental disorder injury claim between 2019 and 2023, comparing those who received community OT treatment and those who did not. The data revealed that PSP with greater injury severity and longer lengths of time away from work more frequently received OT treatment as part of their WSBC mental disorder injury claim; it is possible that this higher degree of claim complexity influenced their RTW outcomes. Workers' compensation organizations should review their RTW processes to ensure prompt access to relevant treatment and supports, including occupational therapy.

Relevance. Dental diseases of the mouth, affecting children of various ages - a nationwide problem of modern society and directly health care. Moreover, the risk of the occurrence and progression of dental diseases among children from socially vulnerable groups is higher, which requires the search for new methods of prevention and treatment. In connection with the increase in the proportion of refused children, the study of the state of health, including dental morbidity, is of particular interest. The aim of the work was to study dental health and the spread of major dental diseases in children in new adoptive families. Materials and Methods. To study dental morbidity in adopted orphans, preventive examinations were carried out in the process of circulation on the basis of dental medical organizations in Kazan in order to identify the main dental diseases, as well as during routine examinations in preschool institutions. The examined children were ranked according to age and gender differences, a total of 35 preschool children took part in the study. Results and Discussion. During the examination of the mouth in children, non-carious dental diseases, cases of manifestations of dentoalveolar pathology, as well as lesions of caries and its complications were revealed. Conclusion. The results obtained on the high prevalence of dental diseases among children from foster families indicate a steady increase in caries and its complications, jugular anomalies, non-carious dental diseases in childrenat special risk due to unfavorable living conditions, aggravated heredity, psychological injuries, nutritional deficiencies, as well as social orphanage, which in general represents a socially significant problem for modern health care.

This research delves into the multifaceted struggles experienced by Laxmi Agarwal and critically examines how she transformed her suffering into strength and advocacy. A survivor who shattered the silence and pioneered a path for others to reclaim their voices. The paper reveals how in fact the art of storytelling (literature in general) has helped Laxmi to fight triumphantly against the psychological injuries of her trauma and the societal stigmas that were inflicted on her because of her trauma. The journal effectively demonstrates the aforesaid by evaluating a brief in depth narrative on her life along with four interviews that were offered by her to various newspapers. The research highlights that the problems that she faced as an acid victim affected not only her personal self but all her relations and all aspects of her life. In aim of doing this research the paper takes its methodological framework from Arthur W. Frank’s “The Wounded storyteller” (Frank, 2013), “Trauma Within the Limits of Literature” by Geoffrey Hartman (Hartman, 2000), Jill Bennett’s “Empathic Vision: Affect, Trauma, and Contemporary Art” (Bennett, 2005) and Naomi Wolf’s “The Beauty Myth” (Wolf, 2002). The paper brings into focus the various phases of her trauma and her struggle against it, her initial position as a passive victim of male violence when her whole being is inflicted with the wound of acid attack by a chauvinist patriarchal male whose proposal she denied, how that wound distorted her face as well as crushed her dreams, how the society shunned and stigmatized her for her wound, and what economic troubles she had to face because of her wound and finally how she struggled with her trauma by making her wound a means of telling her story an act that liberated her from her physical and psychological trauma.

In Canada, rates of psychological injury for public safety personnel (PSP), along with related workers' compensation costs, have been on the rise in the past decade. This study explored approved workers' compensation claims filed by PSP for work-related psychological injuries through the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) between 2014 and 2023. Specifically, we wanted to understand the variability in demographic and claim characteristics and how return to work (RTW) outcomes compared amongst PSP occupations. This research employed a descriptive and quantitative analysis to identify trends in claim volumes, injury categories, and patterns in RTW outcomes for communicators, correctional workers, firefighters, paramedics, and police. Claimants were more often male with an average age of 41.3years and 13years of work experience at the time of injury. Police and paramedics accounted for over 60% of all claims and significant heterogeneity was observed across all occupations. Cumulative traumatic injury claims were more common than single event claims, and PTSD was the most common category of claim. 93.3% of all claims resulted in time lost from work, the median claim length was 14.4months (Q1 = 0.8, Q3 = 38.7), and only 35.7% of claimants had a successful RTW outcome documented. The most favorable profile for RTW success was for younger and less experienced workers, with single event or traumatic mental stress claims. Our findings can inform the development of more effective public policies and workers' compensation processes, ultimately contributing to more timely and effective support for PSP who sustain work-related psychological injuries.

National data suggest that the mental health of Australian workers has declined over recent years. Given that genetic contributors to mental health conditions generally remain stable in longitudinal observations, it is possible that social determinants, which are contextual, non-medical factors, contribute to this trend. This qualitative research investigated employee experiences of psychological injury, including social determinants as facilitators and barriers to recovery and return to work, and gathered need-based recommendations. Between October and December 2023, 55 participants (Mage = 44yrs, 80% female) completed an online survey of demographic items and questions around injury and recovery experiences. Employees who were prescribed sick leave for at least two weeks due to a work-related psychological injury and managers who supervised at least one employee with a work-related psychological injury were eligible to participate. A subset of 12 participants also completed an in-depth online interview. Thematic analysis underpinned by a critical realist/contextualist lens was used to generate themes. Eleven themes described common experiences, facilitators, and barriers and were ordered along three meta-themes of injury causes, responses to injury, and recovery processes. Participant recommendations based on needs assessments centred around clear reporting systems for psychological injury, ongoing support and advocacy for employees, workplace accountability, and minimisation of requirements to access treatment, salary support, and sick leave. Detrimental work factors, negative disclosure experiences, and barriers to mental health care and return to work were described by employees who reported negative functional and mental health impacts, whereas managerial support and strength-based work modifications were protective.

This study explores breathing simulators in young swimmers' training, assessing their role in performance, endurance, and oxygen use. It reviews existing knowledge, analyzing physiological and psychological effects while addressing risks. Findings indicate these devices improve fitness and adaptation but require monitoring for safety. The paper highlights benefits and challenges, including psychological preparation, injury prevention, and developmental impacts.

Background: Workplace violence against nurses is a critical global public health and occupational hazard. Ranging from verbal abuse to physical assault, the consequences of WPV are severe physical and psychological injuries, burnout, high staff turnover, and diminished quality of care for patients. High-risk areas include emergency and psychiatric units. Aim: This review aims to synthesise literature from 2015 to 2025 and establish the effectiveness of various security measures instituted in clinical environments with the aim of protecting nurses and patients from violence. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus was conducted for peer-reviewed studies from 2015 to 2024 using keywords related to the topic, including "workplace violence," "nurses," "intervention," and "security measures." A total of 40 qualifying quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies were included and analyzed using the method of narrative synthesis. Results: Interventions were categorized as primary (prevention), secondary (response), and tertiary (post-event) strategies. The most effective primary measures included comprehensive violence prevention programs, de-escalation training, and environmental designs, such as panic buttons. Secondary measures, including emergency response teams, were effective when deployed promptly. Tertiary support, such as debriefing and counseling, was crucial for mitigating long-term effects. Major implementation barriers included inconsistent training, underreporting, and cultural acceptance of violence. Conclusions: What works is an integrated, multicomponent strategy that incorporates proactive, responsive, and supportive interventions. From the leadership perspective, a safety culture should be developed that emphasizes prevention, reporting, and support of staff. Recommendations for future research include standardization of outcomes, longitudinal analysis, and consideration of predictive technologies such as AI.

Background: Research indicates that domestic violence remains a social- and economy-driven problem in India, particularly in urban regions. This holds especially true for Lucknow, where domestic violence case numbers are particularly high. While some forms of abuse and neglect are addressed, the lingering impact of domestic violence from a psychological standpoint depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal behaviour-are largely neglected. Nearly 18 years of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA, 2005),but also by, limited legal awareness and enforcement. Purpose: This studies the direct psychological impact of domestic violence in women located in Lucknow. Documented research suggests the primary and neglected PTSD symptoms-including suicidal tendency-need focused research. This is driven by a gap in research that fails to assess the impact of legislative measures on mental health, legal knowledge, and justice access on psychological distress. Methods: A mixed-method research framework was designed where 264 women were surveyed and qualitative interviews were conducted. Standardized mental health assessment tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5) were employed. Regression analysis domestic violence severity with mental health outcomes and qualitative experiences with legal measures were evaluated through thematic analysis. Results: High domestic violence abuse is correlated with high levels of depressive, anxious, and PTSD symptoms. Legal abuse in this format, and discrimination enforcement, along with delay dominance proved limiting in impact. Conclusion: Developing more mental health and legal support resources, enhancing police training, and increasing awareness must be a priority to help minimize psychological injury and bolster legal protections for women.

Injury prevention in female football athletes requires a multidimensional approach that integrates both biomechanical and psychological assessments. This research aims to examine the relationship between the quadriceps angle (Q-angle) and competitive anxiety in amateur female football players, with a focus on understanding the impact of Q-angle as an injury risk factor on anxiety levels. The importance of this study stems from the global rise of female participation in football, which is accompanied by a high incidence of lower extremity injuries, particularly among adolescents—a group that is physically and emotionally vulnerable. A total of eleven female athletes aged 14–21 years participated in the study. Q-angle measurements were conducted using image-based digital goniometry (KINOVEA®), whereas the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) was utilized to assess levels of anxiety both before and after match participation. The findings revealed a non-significant decrease in anxiety scores following match play (from 35.23 ± 7.21 to 32.28 ± 8.49; p = 0.076), which may suggest a reduction in anticipatory stress after real-game involvement. Q-angle values varied widely from 9.5° to 29°, with several athletes exhibiting angles outside the normative female range of 15°–20°, indicating a possible increased risk for lower-extremity injuries. Even though a meaningful association was not established between the Q-angle measurements and anxiety levels, the occurrence of extreme readings in both areas among specific individuals suggests a potentially compounded injury risk that should be further investigatedIn spite of constraints such as a limited number of participants and the use of a cross-sectional study design, this research underscores the practical utility of low-cost, field-friendly tools for early detection of biomechanical and psychological injury risk factors. The results support the integration of dual-domain screening into injury prevention programs for adolescent female football players.

Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse (ACSA) is a profound betrayal of trust and power that produces complex psychological, spiritual, and relational injuries for survivors. While much of the literature has focused on the abuse itself and its consequences, less attention has been given to recovery and resilience. This qualitative study draws on in-depth interviews with 27 female survivors of ACSA to explore how they heal and recover. Using artificial intelligence to support thematic analysis, nine key recovery processes were identified: 1. therapy, 2. supportive relationships and community, 3. faith and spirituality, 4. survivor organizations, 5. education and understanding, 6. justice and accountability, 7. sharing their stories, 8. time and patience, and 9. practical support and advocacy. Across experiences, the most potent factor undergirding recovery was being believed and validated, which addressed survivors’ core wounds of self-blame and isolation. Findings highlight survivors’ capacity for healing and underscore the critical role of supportive, informed communities.

Aeromedical evacuations from the deployed combat theater for both physical (battle-related) and psychological injuries consume a great deal of US military resources. Aeromedical evacuations attributable to mental health disorders are often the leading cause of evacuations and need to be monitored and studied further for the development of future prevention and treatment strategies. Although there has been recognition of the increase in aeromedical evacuations due to mental health disorders over the past 2 decades, little attention has been dedicated to examining the longitudinal trend of mental health aeromedical evacuations as compared to those for battle injuries in consideration of medical planning for future conflicts. We conducted a retrospective descriptive epidemiological review analyzing selected publications in the Medical Surveillance Monthly Reports published by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division that reported counts of aeromedical evacuations for service members deployed to the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility between 2001 and 2023. There was an overall decrease in the percentage of aeromedical evacuations out of CENTCOM for battle-related physical injuries between 2001 (11.0%) and 2023 (1.9%) corresponding to the decrease in active military conflict and the US withdrawal of forces from Iraq and Afghanistan. Conversely, there was an overall increase in the percentage of aeromedical evacuations out of CENTCOM related to mental health conditions between 2001 (6.0%) and 2023 (27.5%). The total number of aeromedical evacuations fluctuated across the surveillance period and the resulting impact on the percentages of those attributed to mental health conditions and battle injuries will be discussed. Battle injuries are the leading cause of aeromedical evacuations during times of active military conflict. During times of decreased military conflict, mental health conditions are often the leading cause of aeromedical evacuations. Mental health conditions have been the leading cause of aeromedical evacuations from CENTCOM since 2009 and as of 2023 account for 27.5% of aeromedical evacuations as compared to 1.9% for battle injuries. The increase in the percentage of mental health aeromedical evacuations highlights the importance of continued psychological screening and support for deployed active duty military personnel, with implications for the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders in medical planning for future conflicts.

This study examined the lived experiences of psychological injuries among families of women who have recovered from addiction. Using a qualitative grounded theory design, participants were purposively recruited in 2023 from a substance abuse counseling center in Tehran. The sample consisted of 15 parents (12 mothers and 3 fathers) aged 48–65 years. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews lasting 60–90 min and guided by open-ended questions. Analysis revealed one core category “Parents’ Lived Experience of Their Daughter’s Addiction”, and two main categories. The first, Initial Positive Family Capacity, encompassed positive intra-family interactions, supportive relationships with relatives, mutual trust, and financial stability. The second, Family Collapse: Internal and External Dimensions, included factors such as denial of the problem, marital conflicts, and the emergence of suicidal and obsessive thoughts. The findings suggest that, although families face significant challenges in restoring stability, resilience can be strengthened by leveraging internal strengths, such as personal abilities, family resources, and public support systems, while avoiding denial and ineffective coping strategies. Neglecting these measures may lead to long-term harm to both family functioning and the wider societal fabric.

This article examines the multifaceted impacts of sexual exploitation perpetrated by clergy on adult congregation members within evangelical and Pentecostal Christian faith communities in Australia. Drawing on responses from 33 participants, the findings illustrate extensive spiritual, psychological, emotional, relational, physical, and financial injuries. A central theme to emerge was compliance and entrapment, reflecting the cumulative effects of systemic grooming, institutional complicity, and post-abuse control tactics. Several participants identified counselling as a critical factor in their healing journey, thereby reinforcing the need for practitioners to understand the unique dynamics of clergy-perpetrated sexual exploitation and its complex trauma impacts. The findings emphasise the necessity to reconceptualise clergy sexual misconduct not as consensual relationships but rather as sexual exploitation, which is a form of gender-based violence with impacts that parallel those experienced by victim-survivors of domestic violence.

Peer Review in Psychological Injury and Law: Advancing Science

ABSTRACT Over the recent past, the escalating unemployment rate among Iranian humanities PhD graduates has been a matter of concern. This study, conducted with meticulous attention to detail, explored the experience of humanities PhD graduates with the challenges of employment and unemployment in Iran. We aimed to understand and explore how participants experienced unemployment and how they addressed their needs in this situation. We also sought to examine the consequences of this situation for the participants. We used a qualitative approach and grounded theory method. Participants were sampled purposively with different genders, fields of study, universities, and graduation dates. A total of 44 interviews were performed with participants who had graduated at least a year ago and did not have a suitable job or income. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews. The interview transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory coding. After analyzing the data, nine main categories were explored: the marginalization of the humanities, dissatisfaction and failure, the gap between the university and the market, psychological injuries, poor livelihood, the massification of the university, physical pains, lack of meritocracy, and immigration. The results showed that institutional barriers are among the most important reasons for participants' unemployment. The results of this research can also help universities and politicians to review and revise humanities disciplines by informing them about the experiences of humanities PhD graduates.

ABSTRACT Background: The new way of categorising ICD-11 Personality Disorder (PD) moved from categorical PD types to a dimension of PD severity. This change has raised a debate regarding the question of whether the new PDS-ICD-11 possibly overlaps with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) clusters, specifically the Disturbances in Self-Organization (DSO) cluster. Both disorders, PD and CPTSD, contain self and interpersonal impairment; moreover, as both are trauma-based disorders, it is unclear if different trauma risk factors apply to each. Objective: The current study had two aims: first, to use the new PDS-ICD-11 severity scale (PDS) to assess the psychometric properties of PD in a unique population of male perpetrators of intimate partner violence who suffer from high levels of PD and CPTSD: second, to examine whether exposure to different types of traumatic events and attachment styles would be associated differently with PD and with CPTSD clusters. Method: Participants were 116 males receiving treatment at 18 domestic violence centres. Data were collected using the International Trauma Questionnaire and the PDS-ICD-11 (Hebrew versions). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the factorial validity of PDS-ICD-11, after removing the self-injury symptom. Cumulative childhood trauma and anxiety attachment were associated with PD, PTSD, and DSO, while recent exposure to trauma and avoidance attachment was associated only with DSO. Conclusions: The study supports the psychometric of construct distinction within the new PDS-ICD-11 scale’s definitions of PD and CPTSD. Specifically, it supports the distinctions even where there is similar content of DSO and PD dysfunction of the self and interpersonal impairment. The absence of significant differences in risk factors relating to childhood trauma exposure and psychological injuries support the understanding that all diagnoses shared the same aetiological risk factors.

ABSTRACT This study investigated physical and psychological demands, performance, wellness perceptions, enjoyment and injury incidence among Over-50s and Over-60s walking football (WF) players during an international tournament. It involved 54 male players from the Basque, English, French and Italian squads. It collected data over two consecutive days, with each team playing one 40-minute match per day. Internal load was measured via heart rate (HR), lactate concentration and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). External load was measured via minutes played, distance covered, accelerations, decelerations and speed. Game performance (passes, fouls and shots), wellness and injuries were recorded. Both age groups spent 85% of their playing time above 81% of their maximal HR, with elevated post-match lactate concentrations indicating significant exertion (p < 0.05), although RPE remained moderate. The Over-50s covered more distance and exhibited greater acceleration and deceleration rates than the Over-60s (p < 0.05), who showed a shift to slower movements on day two (p < 0.05). The Over-50s had higher pass success but committed more fouls (p < 0.05), while the Over-60s had more running-related fouls (p < 0.05). Both groups reported similar wellness and enjoyment levels, with minimal injuries. This study highlights the physical demands of WF tournaments and suggests that the benefits outweigh the risks for older adults.