Prevalence Rates Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research Articles

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer: a prospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundChildren and adolescents diagnosed with cancer often experience psychological distress, encompassing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these conditions among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, alongside identifying contributing factors.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to June 2023 among a cohort of Omani children and adolescents (6–18 years old) diagnosed with cancer at three primary cancer referral centres in Oman. Validated Arabic-language versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised instruments were used to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, respectively. An initial assessment (T1) was undertaken within the first 3 months of diagnosis, followed by a second assessment (T2) 3–6 months later.ResultsOf 113 eligible participants, 101 agreed to participate in the study (response rate: 95.6%), with 92 (91.0%) completing both assessments and included in the final analysis. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD decreased from 43.5%, 56.5%, and 32.6%, respectively, at T1, to 38.0%, 35.9%, and 23.9% at T2. All average scores were below diagnostic cut-off points, except for the depression score at T1. Anxiety and depression scores decreased significantly (p = 0.043 and 0.001, respectively) between T1 and T2, as did the overall prevalence of depression (p = 0.004). At T1, linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between anxiety scores and the child’s age and PTSD score (p < 0.05); these variables were also correlated with depression scores (p ≤ 0.001). At T2, significant correlations were observed between anxiety scores and the child’s age and PTSD scores (p < 0.001). At both T1 and T2, anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores remained significantly correlated (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOmani children and adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer exhibit a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD over time. Age-appropriate communication, ongoing support, and mental health services are recommended to help this patient group cope with their diagnosis and manage their emotional wellbeing. There is a need for future research to determine the effectiveness of specific psychological interventions in reducing the frequency of these disorders.

Prevalence and validity of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD: A population-based survey of Hong Kong adults

The present study aimed to report the prevalence of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) in the general adult Hong Kong population, and examine the validity of the Chinese International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). This descriptive cross-sectional population-based telephone survey included a representative sample of 1070 non-institutionalized permanent Hong Kong residents ages 18–64 years. Participants provided responses to the Chinese version of the ITQ, and measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), depression, anxiety, and stress. Based on the diagnostic algorithm of the ITQ, 5.9% of the sample screened positive for either CPTSD or PTSD, with CPTSD (4.2%) being more common that PTSD (1.7%). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated the first-order correlated 6-factor model to be the best fitting solution. Symptom cluster summed scores were all positively and significantly correlated with all criterion variables. This investigation established the prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD using a general adult population sample in Hong Kong. The Chinese ITQ demonstrated sound factorial validity and concurrent validity. Future research can further characterize ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD in subgroups using the Chinese ITQ.

Psychological scars of genocide: a systematic review of post-traumatic outcomes in Kurdish Anfal survivors

AbstractThe Anfal genocide, including the infamous Halabja chemical attack, has imprinted deep scars on the Kurdish community in Iraq that lasted for decades. Despite significant historical documentation, the enduring psychological impact on survivors is less examined. This systematic review synthesizes existing research to address this gap. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, this review systematically searched databases for scholarly articles examining the mental health of Kurdish survivors following the 1988 Anfal genocide, with a focus on PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Of the initial 201 articles identified, seven met the inclusion criteria. These studies were subjected to a thorough data extraction and qualitative synthesis, and their quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The selected studies encompassed a combined sample of 760 participants, ranging in age from 7 to 92 years. The findings revealed high prevalence rates of PTSD, particularly in children, with a prevalence rate of 87%. In adults, PTSD and depression prevalence rates in unselected samples were estimated at 86.2% and 49%, respectively. Qualitative findings from survivors reveal a complex interplay of depression, intrusive memories, and societal isolation, compounded by poverty and discrimination, with health concerns like respiratory and ocular problems further exacerbating psychological distress. However, non-representative samples and absence of control groups limit result generalization. The literature reviewed indicates substantial psychological distress among the Anfal genocide survivors, underscoring an urgent need for targeted mental health interventions. Future research needs representative samples and validated tools for precise prevalence assessment and comprehensive impact understanding.

Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Aftermath of the February 2023 Earthquake in Turkey

On February 6, 2023, an earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale struck southeast Turkey, and this was followed by a second earthquake of magnitude 7.5. The earthquake resulted in widespread loss, devastation, and destruction, and is anticipated to bear a significant psychological toll on survivors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those living in earthquake-affected areas of Turkey. The sample was a convenience sample of 527 adults living in earthquake-affected areas of Turkey. Prevalence rates and gender differences in exposure to earthquake-related traumatic events were investigated. Moreover, prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD were computed, and demographic and trauma-related correlates of ICD-11 PTSD were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Most of the sample (99.2%; n = 523) experienced at least one earthquake-related traumatic event, with the majority experiencing multiple events. Findings demonstrated high endorsement of the ICD-11 PTSD symptom clusters, with 54.1% meeting criteria for diagnosis of probable ICD-11 PTSD. Correlates associated with increased risk of PTSD include female gender, physical injury in the earthquake, physical injury of family or loved ones in the earthquake and being in the higher earthquake-related traumatic events exposure quartiles. These findings indicate high levels of trauma exposure and PTSD among survivors of the recent earthquakes which occurred in Turkey. The identification of correlates associated with increased risk of PTSD is useful for identifying Turkish earthquake survivors who are most likely to need psychological support.

Prevalence and concordance of International Classification of Diseases-11th Revision and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-Fifth Edition posttraumatic stress diagnostics among Northern Irish military veterans.

There are two primary competing diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). These systems differ in terms of the number and nature of PTSD symptoms, the implied latent structure of the disorder, and associated posttraumatic diagnostic classifications. To investigate the prevalence and concordance of ICD-11th Revision (ICD-11) and DSM-Fifth Edition (DSM-5) PTSD, complex-PTSD (C-PTSD), and dissociative subtype of PTSD (D-PTSD) criteria in a sample of Northern Irish military veterans. Data were collected from a community sample of military veterans living in Northern Ireland (NI). Prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD and C-PTSD and DSM-5 PTSD and D-PTSD were estimated using validated self-report measures for each system. Concordance of caseness determined by diagnostic criteria was compared using Cohen's kappa. The DSM-5 algorithm criteria produced significantly higher prevalence estimates of PTSD (39.26%) relative to the ICD-11 algorithm criteria (32.09%). Both C-PTSD and D-PTSD were identified for subgroups within the sample (24.66% and 27.96%, respectively). There was moderate agreement between the diagnostic systems regarding PTSD caseness, and between C-PTSD and D-PTSD caseness. These findings have implications regarding the measurement of PTSD and associated diagnostic groupings for the wider literature, suggesting that the choice of diagnostic screening framework may influence classification. Both C-PTSD and D-PTSD may be relevant diagnostic considerations for the NI military veteran group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Posttraumatic stress disorder prevalence and childbirth: update meta-analysis after the introduction of the DSM-5 and COVID-19 pandemic.

Meta-analyses were previously performed to estimate PTSD prevalence in the postpartum period. Significant events that could impact this outcome occurred in the last decade, such as the publication of the DSM-5 in 2013 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This systematic literature review with a meta-analysis addressed studies published after 2014 to estimate PTSD prevalence after childbirth. The methodological guidelines recommended by PRISMA were followed. The meta-analysis estimate was the proportion of PTSD cases. The restricted maximum likelihood (REML) was the method adopted for estimation in addition to multilevel random effect models. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess the impact of interest variables. The estimated prevalence was 0.10 (95%CI: 0.8-0.13; I2 = 98.5%). No significant differences were found regarding the introduction of the DSM-5 (p = 0.73) or COVID-19 (p = 0.97), but instead, between low- and middle-income countries, e.g., the Middle East presents a higher prevalence (p < 0.01) than European countries. There is a potential increase in PTSD prevalence rates after childbirth in the last decade not associated with the pandemic or the current diagnostic classification. Most studies showed a methodological fragility that must be overcome to understand this phenomenon better and support preventive actions and treatment for puerperal women.

Psychosocial etiology of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by war trauma among Iran–Iraq war immigrants in Mehran, Iran

BackgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most important and common disorders caused by war trauma. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between psychosocial factors and PTSD in war-torn immigrants in Mehran, Iran. MethodThe present study was conducted by descriptive and correlational method. The data were collected from 245 people (121 women and 124 men) from war-torn immigrants 45 years and older who migrated from Mehran to Ilam during the Iran–Iraq war. The measuring tools were as follows: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MDPSS), Coping Strategies Scale (CSS-R), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale. ResultsThe prevalence rate of PTSD among war-torn immigrants in Mehran was 35.1 %. A significant negative correlation was observed between perceived social support and PTSD (p < .01). Coping strategies, including seeking social support, reappraisal/adaptation, problem-focused coping, and active coping, all showed significant negative correlations with PTSD (p < .01). Conversely, a significant positive correlation was found between avoidance coping strategies and self-control and PTSD (p < .01). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the external locus of control (believing in chance) and PTSD (P < 0.01) and significant negative correlation between internal locus of control and PTSD (P < .01). ConclusionWeakness in social support, locus of control and also inappropriate coping strategies against war trauma were among the strong risk factors for PTSD. Therefore, social and behavioral interventions are recommended to increase social support, teaching problem-solving skills and strengthen individual control among war-torn immigrants to reduce the risk of developing PTSD.

The relationship between discrimination, alcohol use severity, and PTSD symptoms among Latinx heavy drinkers

IntroductionDiscrimination is linked to alcohol use severity among Latinx adults, who also show high prevalence rates of PTSD compared to non-Latinx adults. We know little about whether PTSD symptoms affects the relationship between discrimination and alcohol use severity. We hypothesized that the association between discrimination and alcohol use severity might differ by level of PTSD symptom severity. MethodsThis is a secondary cross-sectional analysis of data collected at baseline from a completed randomized clinical trial testing the relative efficacy of a culturally adapted motivational interview designed to address discrimination and drinking behavior against an unadapted motivational interview for Latinx adults. Eligible participants screened positive for the NIAAA Single Alcohol Screening Question for heavy drinking days, identified as Latinx, and were 18–65 years old. We assessed the Everyday Discrimination Scale, Primary Care PC-PTSD screener, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. The study analyzed the main and interactive effects of discrimination and PTSD symptoms on alcohol use severity, while controlling for age, sex, household income, and acculturation. ResultsAfter controlling for covariates in model 2, the interaction of discrimination and PTSD symptoms was significantly related to alcohol use severity. Simple slopes analysis indicated that discrimination was positively related to alcohol use severity among those with high (1 SD above the mean) but not low (1 SD below the mean) levels of PTSD symptoms. ConclusionsEvidence suggests that the experiences of discrimination were associated with alcohol use severity among those who reported more PTSD symptoms. Specifically, discrimination may have a stronger effect on alcohol use severity among Latinx adults who report more PTSD symptoms. Screening Latinx adults for heavy drinking days, discrimination, and PTSD symptoms is clinically important. Culturally adapted alcohol interventions that target discrimination may be particularly effective for Latinx individuals with more PTSD symptoms.

The prevalence and risk factors of PTSD symptoms among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Since the first reported outbreak in China, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised serious concerns globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a severe psychological impact on healthcare workers (HCWs), and especially nurses, who are the most numerous and exposed frontline group. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarise extant literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health of nurses, particularly concerning the prevalence and risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo from March 2020 to July 2023. Articles were included/excluded on predetermined eligibility criteria. A random-effect meta-analysis was performed using proportions to determine the pooled prevalence for PTSD among nurses. Subgroup analyses were also performed, and heterogeneity across studies was analysed using meta-regression. Relatively high prevalence rates of PTSD were reported among nurse populations during the COVID-19 pandemic in twenty-six different countries, globally. Risk factors associated with PTSD include having prior mental health co-morbidities, being a female, having high exposure/contact with COVID-19 patients, having insufficient protective conditions and having intensive workloads. The overall pooled prevalence was 29.1% (95% C.I. = 23.5%, 35.5%) using a random-effects model in 55 studies. The regression test of funnel plot asymmetry indicated a significant level of publication bias among studies. The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with significant levels of PTSD among frontline nurses globally. A high level of heterogeneity was observed across studies. Psychological, social and administrative interventions should be implemented to mitigate heavy psychological distress in nurses.

A comparative study of posttraumatic stress disorder in two post-conflict communities in Benue state Nigeria.

The attendant long-term mental health consequence of the conflict of various kinds in Nigeria is yet to be thoroughly investigated. The Tiv-Fulani farmer-herdsmen crisis is one such conflict that occurred in 2013/2014 in Guma local government in Benue state. This study seeks to find out some years after the crisis, the prevalence difference in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between a community (Uikpiam) with direct exposure to the conflict and another (Daudu) with indirect exposure, the pattern of distribution of PTSD symptoms and the associate factors of PTSD. It is a cross-sectional one that employed a multi-stage cluster sampling method to select 413 participants; 135 from Uikpiam and 278 from Daudu. The study instruments administered included a questionnaire with some socio-demographic variables and an extract from the PTSD module of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The prevalence rate of PTSD was higher in Uikpiam (16.3%) when compared to Daudu (4.3%). A high proportion of sub-threshold symptoms of PTSD was recorded in both communities. An association was found between a lower educational qualification and PTSD (χ2 = 8.373; p = 0.039). PTSD can be a prolonged mental ill-effect of crisis and proximity to trauma sites increases vulnerability including lower education. This study looked at PTSD only as an outcome of this crisis, but mental health adverse outcomes of the crisis may not be limited to this alone, hence the need for further investigations for relevant stakeholders to act.

Directional associations between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and cannabis use in young adults: Uncovering variation by sex, race, and ethnicity.

Prevalence rates of cannabis use and PTSD vary, with men reporting greater cannabis use than females, females reporting higher rates of PTSD than males, and race and ethnic minority persons reporting higher rates of both cannabis and PTSD compared to non-Hispanic White individuals. This study extends our understanding of directional associations between cannabis use and PTSD from early to late young adulthood (18-26 years old) using two theoretical models: symptom-driven pathway and substance-induced pathway. Participants provided yearly data for 14 years, and the present study utilized data from Waves 9 through 14. Those endorsing Criterion A in at least one wave of data collection (n = 1,454) were included in the analytic sample. We used autoregressive latent trajectory with structured residuals to understand reciprocal associations for the full sample, as well as by sex and race or ethnicity. For the full sample, we noted support for both symptom-driven and substance-induced pathways during early young adulthood (18-20) but only support for a symptom-driven pathway during late young adulthood (21-26). Males showed the same pattern as the full sample; however, for females, only a symptom-driven pathway during late young adulthood was found. For race and ethnic minority participants, we showed full cross-lagged effects during both early and late young adulthood and no associations for non-Hispanic White individuals. Results indicate that both men and individuals from minoritized racial and ethnic groups are more likely to report heightened PTSD symptomology, maladaptive coping, and worsening symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health correlates in a predominantly Latino/Hispanic sample living with food insecurity.

Food insecurity (FI) is a global public health concern that is associated with psychopathology, including depression and anxiety. Individuals living with social disadvantages, such as experiencing low SES or being part of minoritized populations, are at higher risk of developing lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma exposure. Yet relatively little is known about PTSD prevalence rates and the potential mental health burden in populations with FI. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence rates and characteristics of PTSD and associated mental health burdens in a low SES, predominantly Latino/Hispanic sample with FI in the United States. The study utilized self-report surveys in a cross-sectional design. Participants included 891 clients of a local urban food bank. In this sample, 45.8% reported experiencing one or more traumatic events and 17.4% met the clinical cutoff for PTSD. These results indicate that, while rates of traumatic event exposure are comparable to the general population, those experiencing FI report higher rates of PTSD. Of those with PTSD, 72.3% met the clinical cutoff for generalized anxiety disorder, 69% for depression, and 25.8% for an eating disorder (ED). Furthermore, PTSD symptom severity accounted for 43.6%, 29.6%, and 18.7% of the variance in linear regression models for depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and ED pathology, respectively. The compounding mental health consequences of experiencing FI, PTSD, and other psychopathology needs further investigation. Moreover, affordable and accessible treatment models are imperative to address the needs of this low-SES population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Nature and prevalence of PTSD as per DSM-5 and ICD-11 after natural and unnatural deaths

The death of a loved one may lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although it is conceivable that unnatural losses (caused by e.g., accidents, homicide, or suicide) render people more vulnerable to PTSD than natural losses (e.g., caused by illnesses) this is an understudied issue. The current study sought to enhance knowledge about the presentation and prevalence of PTSD symptoms, in people confronted with natural, non-sudden and unnatural, sudden losses. Considering that PTSD is defined differently in DSM-5 and ICD-11, we compared PTSD severity and prevalence rates between these diagnostic systems. Self-reported data were available from a heterogeneous sample of 1064 bereaved people (Mage = 52.13 years, 86 % female). Confirmatory factor analyses supported the DSM-5-based and ICD-11-based symptom clustering. DSM-5 yielded higher prevalence rates of probable PTSD than ICD-11 criteria. PTSD cluster and total scores were significantly higher for participants confronted with unnatural losses than participants confronted with natural losses. Rates of probable PTSD (based on DSM-5 and ICD-11) were also higher in the former group. Confrontation with an unnatural loss was not associated with PTSD scores beyond other sociodemographic and loss-related variables considered. Results show that bereavement-related PTSD is assessed differently in DSM-5 and ICD-11. Cause of death affected PTSD but less strongly than anticipated.

Prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Internally Displaced People from Khartoum State After Sudan War in April., 2023

Internal displacement is emerging as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. The displacement of people leads to various mental health problems such as PTSD, depression and anxiety in these groups of people, many studies have shown that PTSD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders diagnosed in displaced persons. This study aim to assess prevalence of PTSD in internally displaced people from Khartoum after Sudan war to orient the efforts toward the manipulation factors influencing their psychological health. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional community based study carry out among all people above 18 years old &amp; internally displaced from Khartoum state by using self administrated questionnaire adapted from PCL-5 for assessed the 20 DSM-5 symptom of PTSD. The sample size was 666 participant, 50.8% of them were male, and most of them were 18 -25 years old (54.1%), displaced from Khartoum to Gaziera state in April (48.6%, 23.9%, 37.8%) respectively, also we founded that prevalence rate of PTSD was 311, 46.7% among the study sample and their was a significant relationship between PTSD and sex &amp; age ( p value &gt; 0.001, 0.010 respectively). The findings call for governments to adequately plan for and programme mental health interventions for internally displacement peoples.

The integrated treatment of eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychiatric comorbidity: a commentary on the evolution of principles and guidelines.

Psychiatric comorbidity is the norm in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders (EDs), and traumatic events and lifetime PTSD are often major drivers of these challenging complexities. Given that trauma, PTSD, and psychiatric comorbidity significantly influence ED outcomes, it is imperative that these problems be appropriately addressed in ED practice guidelines. The presence of associated psychiatric comorbidity is noted in some but not all sets of existing guidelines, but they mostly do little to address the problem other than referring to independent guidelines for other disorders. This disconnect perpetuates a "silo effect," in which each set of guidelines do not address the complexity of the other comorbidities. Although there are several published practice guidelines for the treatment of EDs, and likewise, there are several published practice guidelines for the treatment of PTSD, none of them specifically address ED + PTSD. The result is a lack of integration between ED and PTSD treatment providers, which often leads to fragmented, incomplete, uncoordinated and ineffective care of severely ill patients with ED + PTSD. This situation can inadvertently promote chronicity and multimorbidity and may be particularly relevant for patients treated in higher levels of care, where prevalence rates of concurrent PTSD reach as high as 50% with many more having subthreshold PTSD. Although there has been some progress in the recognition and treatment of ED + PTSD, recommendations for treating this common comorbidity remain undeveloped, particularly when there are other co-occurring psychiatric disorders, such as mood, anxiety, dissociative, substance use, impulse control, obsessive-compulsive, attention-deficit hyperactivity, and personality disorders, all of which may also be trauma-related. In this commentary, guidelines for assessing and treating patients with ED + PTSD and related comorbidity are critically reviewed. An integrated set of principles used in treatment planning of PTSD and trauma-related disorders is recommended in the context of intensive ED therapy. These principles and strategies are borrowed from several relevant evidence-based approaches. Evidence suggests that continuing with traditional single-disorder focused, sequential treatment models that do not prioritize integrated, trauma-focused treatment approaches are short-sighted and often inadvertently perpetuate this dangerous multimorbidity. Future ED practice guidelines would do well to address concurrent illness in more depth.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in doctors: Origins, approach and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy

Navigating a high-stakes clinical environment, medical doctors tend to consider trauma and adverse workplace events as 'part of their job'. This often leads to delays in help-seeking in doctors who develop acute traumatic stress symptoms (ATSS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their comorbidities. This article outlines the prevalence of acute traumatic stress and PTSD in this population and summarises the emerging evidence base for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) early-intervention protocols of this population. Doctors have higher prevalence rates of ATSS and PTSD than the general public. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy's early-intervention protocols for recent, prolonged and ongoing traumatic stress have the potential to be a widely acceptable, timely and cost-effective intervention for doctors and other healthcare workers (HCWs), as highlighted in the emerging evidence base, which has grown considerably in response to the impact of the COVID pandemic on HCWs' mental health. These evidence-based interventions could potentially be routinely offered to doctors and other HCWs within 1month of an adverse workplace experience to reduce ATSS, PTSD and other comorbidities.

Those Who Commit Violent Crimes can be Traumatised by Their Offences: A Systematic Review of Offence-Specific Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

ABSTRACT Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has focused on victims, with minimal attention given to perpetrators of violent crimes who might subsequently develop offense-specific PTSD from their own offenses. Its prevalence and associations are not well-established. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, 10 databases were searched to identify studies examining offense-specific PTSD in perpetrators of violent crimes. Fourteen unique studies were identified across prison, forensic hospital, and community settings. Sample sizes ranged from 19 to 339, with 8 studies assessed to be of at least adequate quality. Prevalence rates of offense-specific PTSD ranged from 1.5% to 76.6%, with 8 studies identifying a prevalence of 33.3% or greater. Associations with offense-specific PTSD were examined by 8 studies, with PTSD from prior trauma and post-offense guilt and shame the most-studied. Post-offense guilt and shame was consistently associated with offense-specific PTSD. Other associates included alexithymia, co-morbid anxiety and depression, certain personality subtypes, and intentional perpetration. Offense-specific PTSD is present in a significant proportion of perpetrators of violent crimes. More research of higher quality is required on this condition and its associations. Increased recognition of offense-specific PTSD and viewing perpetrators of violent crimes as potentially-affected persons could guide clinicians in forensic settings toward a more trauma-informed approach.

Exposure to potentially traumatic events and PTSD symptomatology in Norwegian 11–13-year-olds: results from the Bergen Child Study

BackgroundExposure to potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) is common among children and adolescents, but relatively little is known about the epidemiology of trauma and trauma-related psychopathology in children and youth. The present cross- sectional epidemiological study aimed to explore factors that is associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children.MethodData stem from the Bergen Child Study, a series of cross-sectional multi-phase surveys of children born between 1993 and 1995 in Bergen, Norway. The sample used is from the second wave of the Bergen Child Study (BCS) conducted in 2006, a two-phase study. The study entailed a detailed psychiatric evaluation using the Development and well-being assessment (DAWBA). The DAWBA was administered to parents or caregivers and covered diagnostic areas, child and family background, and child strengths. A total of 2043 parents participated.ResultsOut of the total sample, parents reported that 4.8% children had experienced PTEs at some point in their lives. The findings revealed current PTSS in 30.9% of children exposed to PTE, which was 1.5% of the total sample. None of the parents reported PTSS in their children over the threshold for diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The most common PTSS cluster was arousal reactivity (90.0%), followed by negative cognitions and mood (80%). The least frequent symptom cluster was intrusions (63.3%) and avoidance (60%). Children with PTSS were reported to live in families with significantly more family stressors (p = 0.001, d = 0.8) and had utilized significantly more sources for help relative to those without PTSS (p = 0.001, d = 0.75).ConclusionThe present population study on children revealed a lower prevalence rate of PTEs and PTSD than previous studies. It provided findings in the field of trauma on parent- reported PTSS and PTSD symptom clusters not restricted to the clinical level of PTSD. Lastly, it highlighted how family-life stressors and support differed between those who had PTSS and those with no PTSS.

The Psychological Sequelae of COVID-19 Among Disease Survivors in Argentina

Background: While more than a year has passed since the COVID-19 outbreak, it is still a growing health concern. Moreover, ample consensus exists for the presence of not only a physical but also a psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those reported as hardest hit were individuals who had been infected with COVID-19. Survivors have exhibited a higher prevalence of psychological morbidity i.e., PTSD, depression, and anxiety- as compared with the general population and health workers. Additionally, COVID-19 patients and survivors have been psychologically impacted by a staggering number of disease-related stressors. Objective: The study was aimed at analyzing COVID-19's impact on the psychological state of Argentinian disease survivors. Method: Two hundred and ninety-six COVID-19 survivors (67.2% female; Mage = 44.81; SDage = 12.16) from a major Buenos Aires hospital completed a questionnaire and a set of psychological measures - COVID-19 emotional impact, psychological sequelae, disease-related stressors, PTSD, and psychological distress. Results: The most impactful psychological sequelae and disease stressors revolved around having the disease awaiting test results, fear of infecting loved ones, being apart from family and friends during the disease, fear of physical sequelae and symptoms, and returning to isolation. PTSD prevalence rates were 33.8%. Survivor's psychological distress levels were moderately higher than pre-COVID-era general population levels, yet not significantly different from pre- COVID-era clinical inpatients. Female gender, age, and hospital admission emerged as significant predictors of increased adverse psychological outcomes. Conclusion: Intervention for COVID-19 survivors is urgently needed, with particular attention to the alarming PTSD prevalence rates, as discussed in the study.

War exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, and complex posttraumatic stress disorder among parents living in Ukraine during the Russian war.

High rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been documented in war-affected populations. The prevalence of Complex PTSD (CPTSD) has never been assessed in an active war zone. Here, we provide initial data on war-related experiences, and prevalence rates of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD in a large sample of adults in Ukraine during the Russian war. We also examined how war-related stressors, PTSD, and CPTSD were associated with age, sex, and living location in Ukraine. Self-report data were gathered from a nationwide sample of 2004 adult parents of children under 18 from the general population of Ukraine approximately 6 months after Russia's invasion. All participants were exposed to at least one war-related stressor, and the mean number of exposures was 9.07 (range=1-26). Additionally, 25.9% (95% CI=23.9%, 27.8%) met diagnostic requirements for PTSD and 14.6% (95% CI=12.9%, 16.0%) met requirements for CPTSD. There was evidence of a strong dose-response relationship between war-related stressors and meeting criteria for PTSD and CPTSD. Participants who had the highest exposure to war-related stressors were significantly more likely to meet the requirements for PTSD (OR=4.20; 95% CI=2.96-5.95) and CPTSD (OR=8.12; 95% CI=5.11-12.91) compared to the least exposed. Humanitarian responses to the mental health needs of the Ukrainian population will need to take account of posttraumatic stress reactions. Education in diagnosing and treating PTSD/CPTSD, especially in the situation of a significant lack of human resources and continuing displacement of the population, is necessary.