PTS Symptoms Research Articles

Parent distress in childhood cancer: A comparative evaluation of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression and anxiety

The aim was to assess symptoms consistent with posttraumatic stress (PTS; cognitive intrusions, avoidance, arousal) related to the child's illness, and generic distress (anxiety, depression) in parents of childhood cancer patients. Outcomes were compared to normative and relevant reference data, and analysed for their dependence on time passed since diagnosis. Swedish parents (266 mothers, 208 fathers) were recruited at two centres. Data from a clinical sample of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients and parents of healthy children were used for comparison. The Impact of Events Scale (IES-R) was used for assessing PTS symptoms, and self-report scales for anxiety and depression. Elevated stress and generic distress varied as a function of time from diagnosis. Up to 12% of parents for whom >5 years had passed since diagnosis still reported equally, or more intrusive thoughts, avoidance and arousal when contrasted to patients suffering from PTSD. Parents of recently diagnosed children had more cancer-related intrusive thoughts than those of long-term survivors. Heightened anxiety and depression was most prominent in mothers and fathers up to 2.5 years after diagnosis. In conclusion, severe generic distress characterises the first years after diagnosis, and initially common PTS symptoms are found in a considerable portion of parents years after diagnosis. Clinically, attention should be paid to continuous parent support needs. Individual variation vis-à-vis distress vulnerability should be acknowledged, and presupposed gender differences avoided. When treatment situation asks the most of parents’ collaboration, many are under pressure of severe stress.

Damaged Goods: Exploring Predictors of Distress in Prison Inmates

Victimization is a significant part of the incarceration experience. In this study, we assessed the effects of victimization while incarcerated and pre-existing conditions on prisoners’ distress. Data are drawn from surveys administered to 208 men recently released from prison. Using path analysis, we examined the direct effects of victimization and the direct and indirect effects, via victimization, of preprison characteristics and other control variables on distress (symptoms of post-traumatic stress [PTS] and depression). Findings reveal that victimization in prison significantly predicts the occurrence of PTS symptoms and depressive symptoms. Previous trauma, self-control, and race also have direct effects, and previous trauma and race have indirect effects on PTS and depressive symptoms.

Posttraumatic stress disorder and its related factors in burn injury and digit amputation

This study examined the relationship of physical factors including physical functioning and cosmesis to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in patients with burn injury and in patients with digit amputation; posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression in mothers of children with burn injuries from falling into bathtubs of hot water. The study comprised 56 patients with burn injury and 26 patients with digit amputation, and 16 children with burn injury and their mothers. Prevalence rates of PTSD and major depression were 33.9 and 7.1%, respectively, in burn‐injured patients and 18.5 and 7.4%, respectively, in patients with digit amputation. Regardless of the severity of the burn injury, such as percentage of total body surface burned, females with cosmetic disfigurement exhibited PTSD symptoms, in particular avoidance and emotional numbing. For digit amputation, regardless of the degree of physical functioning after replantation such as motion and sensation, females with cosmetic disfigurement exhibit PTSD symptoms, in particular avoidance and emotional numbing. These findings suggest that in female victims the degree of cosmetic disfigurement is related to the manifestation of PTSD symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing. Prevalence rates of PTSD and major depression were 6.3 and 0%, respectively, in children with burn injury and 12.5 and 18.8%, respectively, in their mothers. For three PTS symptoms (i.e. intense distress at a similar event, restricted range of affect, and hypervigilance), prevalence rates were significantly higher for mothers than for children. The three PTS symptoms of their mothers were significantly and positively correlated with severity of guilt feelings. Compared with burn‐injured children, the mothers are prone to PTS symptoms mixed with guilt feelings.

Venographic assessment of deep vein thrombosis and risk of developing post‐thrombotic syndrome: a prospective study

It is well known that patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) constitute a risk group for development of pulmonary embolism. However, the relation of DVT and the extent thereof with the subsequent sequelae (post-thrombotic syndrome) are insufficiently investigated. We have prospectively studied a series of consecutive patients admitted because of DVT on lower limbs, trying to correlate venographic findings during acute DVT with post-thrombotic (PTS) symptoms that develop later. Seventy-nine patients (84 limbs) with acute DVT were followed-up in our out-patient clinic at 4-monthly intervals for 3 years. At each visit patients were carefully examined regarding the appearance of PTS symptoms and/or signs from the DVT-affected leg. Three years after discharge, presence of PTS signs was assessed according to a simple scoring system. And then correlated to venographic findings during acute DVT. Patients were classified as having no (37 legs), mild (30 legs), or severe PTS signs (17 legs). Patients with popliteal vein involvement showed a significantly higher incidence of PTS 3 years later (P < 0.001). The risk of PTS also increased as DVT extent increased (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, the logistic regression analysis showed that DVT location explained all the differences (P < 0.001). In other words, DVT extent was overriden by the significance of DVT location, being popliteal the only location that showed a relevant contribution to the PTS incidence (95% confidence interval = 2.49-71.5).

Prior life trauma, post‐traumatic stress symptoms, sexual disorders, and character traits in sex offenders: An exploratory study

AbstractFifty‐two residents in a forensic treatment center for convicted sex offenders were studied using a computer‐assisted assessment methodology regarding prior exposure to seven categories of major trauma, the subsequent occurrence of 15 PTSD criterion symptoms, the occurrence of sexual disorders and pathological character traits based on the DSM‐III‐R Axis II diagnostic criteria. This sample represented 43% of all individuals in such treatment in Florida during the study month. The results in terms of trauma exposure, PTS symptom, sexual disorders, and character traits are reported and discussed in relation to the relevant literature. A theoretical formulation based on object relations theory suggesting a causal link between trauma, narcissistic character pathology, adult PTSD, and sexual deviancy for some sex offenders is presented and related to the findings. The methodological limitations of the research and its implications for future research are explored.