Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Research Articles

Understanding psychological outcomes following exposure to potentially morally injurious events in animal care: development of the Moral Distress-Posttraumatic Growth Scale for Veterinary Professionals

ABSTRACT Aims To generate a taxonomy of potentially morally injurious events (PMIE) encountered in veterinary care and develop an instrument to measure moral distress and posttraumatic growth following exposure to PMIE in the veterinary population. Methods Development and preliminary evaluation of the Moral Distress-Posttraumatic Growth Scale for Veterinary Professionals (MD-PTG-VP) employed data from veterinary professionals (veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians) from Australia and New Zealand across three phases: (1) item generation, (2) content validation, and (3) construct validation. In Phase 1 respondents (n = 46) were asked whether they had experienced any of six PMIE and to identify any PMIE not listed that they had experienced. In Phase 2 a different group of respondents (n = 11) assessed a list of 10 PMIE for relevance, clarity and appropriateness. In Phase 3 the final instrument was tested with a third group of respondents (n = 104) who also completed the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT), a measure of posttraumatic stress, and the Stress-Related Growth Scale–Short Form (SRGS-SF) a measure of perceived posttraumatic growth. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated between respondent scores on each of the MD-PTG-VP subscales, the SPRINT, and the SRGS-SF to assess construct validity. Results A 10-item taxonomy of PMIE encountered in veterinary care was generated in Phase 1. Items were deemed relevant, clear and appropriate by veterinary professionals in Phase 2. These were included in the developed instrument which measures frequency and impact of exposure to 10 PMIE, yielding three subscale scores (exposure frequency, moral distress, and posttraumatic growth). Assessment of construct validity by measuring correlation with SPRINT and SRGS-SF indicated satisfactory validity. Conclusions The MD-PTG-VP provides an informative tool that can be employed to examine professionals’ mental health and wellbeing following exposure to PMIE frequently encountered in animal care. Further evaluation is required to ascertain population norms and confirm score cut-offs that reflect clinical presentation. Clinical relevance Once fully validated this instrument may be useful to quantify the frequency and intensity of positive and negative aspects of PMIE exposure on veterinary professionals so that accurate population comparisons can be made and changes measured over time.

Evaluating effects of burn injury characteristics on quality of life in pediatric burn patients and caregivers

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate pediatric burn patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life (QoL), while identifying clinical characteristics correlated with psychological stress. MethodsPediatric burn patients at an ABA-verified institution from November 2019-January 2021 were included. Caregivers of patients 0–4 years completed the Infant’s Dermatology QoL Index (IDQOL). Patients> 4–16 years completed the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). The Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT) measured caregivers’ stress. Generalized linear mixed models evaluated associations between assessment scores and burn characteristics. ResultsOverall, 27.3% (39/143) of IDQOL and 53.1.% (41/96) of CDLQI scores indicated that patients’ burns caused moderate to extremely large effects on QoL. In caregivers, 4.5% (7/159) scored> 14 on the SPRINT, warranting further PTSD evaluation. For the IDQOL, each additional 1% TBSA burn was associated with a 2.75-point increase (p = 0.05), and patients sustaining 2nd degree deep partial thickness burns scored an average of 3.3 points higher compared to 2nd degree superficial partial thickness burns (P < 0.01). CLDQI and SPRINT scores demonstrated a similar pattern. ConclusionsQoL is impacted in a substantial proportion of pediatric burn patients. Larger TBSA and increased burn depths cause significantly more psychological stress in children, and caregivers may require more extensive psychological evaluation.

What Is Solastalgia and How Is It Measured? SOS, a Validated Scale in Population Exposed to Drought and Forest Fires.

Solastalgia is a recent concept that refers to disruptive psychological responses in people exposed to environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to determine the number of dimensions solastalgia has using a sample of people exposed to the effects of climate change in the coastal dry land of Maule region, Chile. In order to achieve this, a Scale Of Solastalgia (SOS) was designed and then validated, by means of applying it to 223 inhabitants at the municipalities of Pencahue (n = 105) and Curepto (n = 118), who were also evaluated by the Short Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT-E). Using robust validation methods (Parallel factor analysis and Omega), two dimensions were obtained for solastalgia: solace and algia. Both correlate with the SPRINT-E scale (r = 0.150, p < 0.01 and r = 0.359, p < 0.01, respectively) and have 58% sensitivity and 67% specificity to detect cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Like PTSD, solastalgia is related to psychopathologies expected after disasters and also presents a spatial pattern where the concentration of positive cases occurs in places of greater exposure to environmental change or degradation.

Aggression towards clinicians within Opiate Substitution Treatment (OST) services: A survey of service providers

BackgroundHigh levels of aggression towards staff in healthcare settings have been reported. It seems likely that workers in Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) would be at increased risk of adverse events and their consequences. ObjectivesThis study aimed to establish if practitioners who provide OST are experiencing negative outcomes, specifically aggression, distress, and burnout, and to identify if workload and professional affiliation were associated with these risks. MethodsA survey was conducted of OST practitioners in a single geographical region of New Zealand (population approx. 344,000). The survey asked for demographics (including caseloads), Perception of Patient Aggression Scale New Zealand Revision (POPAS-NZ), Kessler 10 (K10), Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT), and Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) and two qualitative questions asking about the best and worst aspects of working in OST. ResultsAll recorded OST workers in the region (n = 181) were invited to participate, 95 practitioners responded to the survey (52.4%). This group included pharmacists, doctors, nurses, social workers and addiction workers. Results indicated aggression, distress, and burnout were being experienced by practitioners. Number of patients seen by a practitioner significantly increased risk of aggression (F(1,90) = 14.14, p < 0.001). Psychiatrists were the most at risk profession (p = 0.016). Burnout responses were high for around 20% of practitioners, with low numbers meeting criteria for distress and PTSD. Positive things about working in OST were relationships with patients, appreciating patient outcomes and positive team environments. Negative aspects were patient behaviours, maintaining empathy, and, administration tasks. ConclusionsAggression was a workplace hazard for OST clinicians. Low rates of distress and PTSD symptoms were reported and some evidence of practitioner burnout. Practitioners reported positive relationships, making a difference and teamwork may have been improving this area of mental health work.

Post-Traumatic Growth in Parents following Their Child's Death in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Although bereaved parents suffer greatly, some may experience positive change referred to as post-traumatic growth. Objective: Explore the extent to which parents perceive post-traumatic growth after their child's death in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and associated factors. Design: Longitudinal parent survey conducted 6 and 13 months after a child's death. Surveys included the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF), a 10-item measure with range of 0-50 where higher scores indicate more post-traumatic growth. Surveys also included the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) for depression, the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT), a single item on perceived overall health, and sociodemographics. Setting/Subjects: One hundred fifty-seven parents of 104 children who died in 1 of 8 PICUs affiliated with the U.S. Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Results: Of participating parents, 62.4% were female, 71.6% White, 82.7% married, and 89.2% had at least a high school education. Mean PTGI-SF scores were 27.5 ± 12.52 (range 5-50) at 6 months and 28.6 ± 11.52 (range 2-49) at 13 months (p = 0.181). On multivariate modeling, higher education (compared with those not completing high school) and higher 6-month ICG scores (reflecting more complicated grief symptoms) were associated with lower 13-month PTGI-SF scores (p = 0.005 and 0.033, respectively). Conclusion: Parents bereaved by their child's PICU death perceive a moderate degree of post-traumatic growth in the first 13 months after the death however variability is wide. Education level and complicated grief symptoms may influence parents' perception of post-traumatic growth.

The Association between Therapeutic Alliance and Parental Health Outcomes following a Child's Death in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Therapeutic alliance reflects the strength and quality of the physician-patient/family relationship. We investigated the association between therapeutic alliance and bereaved parents' mental health and perceived overall health following their child's death in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Bereaved parents were surveyed 6 months after their child's death in a PICU affiliated with the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Parents were evaluated for complicated grief, depression, and post-traumatic stress using the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT), respectively. Overall health was evaluated using a single item. Therapeutic alliance between parents and their deceased child's PICU physicians was assessed using the Human Connection scale (HCS). Two hundred and thirty-five parents of 158 deceased children completed surveys. Mean ICG score was 34.4 ± 14.9 with 142 (60.4%) parents screening positive for complicated grief. Mean PHQ-8 score was 9.1 ± 6.2 with 102 (43.4%) screening positive for at least moderate depression. Mean SPRINT score was 14.6 ± 8.2 with 122 (51.9%) screening positive for post-traumatic stress disorder. Overall health was perceived as fair for 47 (20.0%) parents and poor for 10 (4.3%). Using multivariable modeling, higher HCS score (greater therapeutic alliance) was significantly associated with lower (better) ICG score (-0.23, 95% CI -0.42, -0.04, p = 0.018). HCS score was not significantly associated with PHQ-8, SPRINT, or overall health scores. We conclude that bereaved parents experience a high level of adverse mental health symptoms including complicated grief, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Greater therapeutic alliance with PICU physicians may lessen symptoms of complicated grief during bereavement.

Complicated Grief, Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Bereaved Parents following their Child's Death in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Follow-Up Study.

Parents often suffer reduced mental health after their child's death; however, the trajectory and risk factors are not well described. Describe the change in complicated grief, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms among parents between 6 and 13 months after their child's death in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and factors associated with 13-month symptoms. Parents whose children died in 1 of 8 PICUs affiliated with the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network completed surveys 6 and 13 months after their child's death. Surveys included the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) for depression, and the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT). Parents provided sociodemographics. Charts were reviewed for child characteristics. One-hundred and fifty seven parents of 104 deceased children completed surveys at both time points. Mental health symptoms declined over time (mean (SD)): ICG (33.8 (15.4) vs. 30.5 (15.2), p < 0.001), PHQ-8 (9.0 (6.4) vs. 7.3 (5.8), p < 0.001), and SPRINT (14.1 (8.3) vs. 12.0 (8.2), p < 0.001). After controlling for 6-month scores, higher 13-month ICG was independently associated with sudden unexpected death; higher PHQ-8 with Black race, insecure attachment style, and sudden unexpected death; and higher SPRINT with having a high school level of education (compared to college degree or higher). Mental health symptoms improve among parents during the first 13 months after their child's death; however, symptoms persist for many. Black parents and those whose children die suddenly may be high risk for poor adjustment during bereavement.

Insomnia, fatigue and psychosocial well-being during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of hospital nursing staff in the United States.

Aims and objectivesTo describe the levels of insomnia, fatigue and intershift recovery, and psychological well‐being (burnout, post‐traumatic stress and psychological distress), and to examine differences in these measures based on work‐related characteristics among nursing staff during COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States.BackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has created a major physical and psychological burden on nursing staff in the United States and worldwide. A better understanding of these conditions will lead to tailored support and resources for nursing staff during and after the pandemic.DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsHospital nurses and nursing assistants (N = 587) were recruited online between May–June 2020. The survey included measures on insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index) fatigue and intershift recovery (Occupational Fatigue and Exhaustion Recovery‐15), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Human Services Survey), post‐traumatic stress (Short Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview) and psychological distress (Patient Health Questionnaire‐4), and questions on work and demographics. The STROBE checklist was followed for reporting.ResultsThe sample had subthreshold insomnia, moderate‐to‐high chronic fatigue, high acute fatigue and low‐to‐moderate intershift recovery. The sample experienced increased emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, increased personal accomplishment, moderate psychological distress and high post‐traumatic stress. Nurses who cared for COVID‐19 patients had significantly scored worse on almost all measures than their co‐workers. Certain factors such as working hours per week and the frequency of 30‐min breaks were significant.ConclusionNursing staff experienced poor sleep, fatigue and multiple psychological problems during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Moreover, staff who were involved in the care of COVID‐19 patients, worked more than 40 h per week and skipped 30‐min breaks showed generally worse self‐reported outcomes.Relevance to clinical practiceNursing administration is recommended to monitor for fatigue and distress on nursing units, re‐visit current scheduling practices, reinforce rest breaks and provide access to mental health and sleep wellness resources with additional support for their front‐line nursing groups.

Cognitive appraisal of exposure to specific types of trauma - a study of gender differences

BackgroundThe role of gender in posttraumatic cognitions has increasingly been approached. The current study comparatively evaluates posttraumatic cognitions in men and women exposed to specific nonsexual trauma (motor vehicle accidents, work – related accidents, burns).MethodsPosttraumatic cognitions and posttraumatic stress symptoms were comparatively assessed in 53 men and 37 women treated in 3 Romanian primary care units after specific accidental trauma. Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) was used to assess posttraumatic cognitions, and the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT) was used to assess posttraumatic stress symptoms.ResultsMen with significant posttraumatic stress symptoms endorsed more negative cognitions than women. Men with posttraumatic disability more consistently endorsed some negative cognitions regarding instrumentality, strength and control than their female counterparts. Women and men without posttraumatic disability reported similarly low levels of negative posttraumatic cognitions. Time elapsed since trauma increased most negative cognitions in men.ConclusionsThe intensity of PTSD symptoms and presence of posttraumatic disability influence negative cognitions after exposure to accidental trauma. Women experiencing clinically significant PTSD symptoms endorse more cognitions regarding instrumentality, strength and control than male counterparts. Women with permanent disability after trauma report less cognitions involving emotionality, dependence and low self – efficacy than male counterparts. In the absence of permanent posttraumatic disability, men and women endorse similar levels of negative cognitions after accidental trauma. With time elapsed since trauma, men perceive decreasing self – efficacy, problem – solving and emotional control, while women perceive decreasing interpersonal cooperation. Despite limitations (cross-sectional design, lack of normative data for PTCI to ascertain culturally – specific gendered cognitions), this study supports the gender – sensitive approach of accidental trauma, especially when its consequences are pervasive, disabling and increasingly burdensome.

Religious Coping as Moderator of Psychological Responses to Stressful Events: A Longitudinal Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of positive and negative religious coping with posttraumatic symptoms (PTS) and growth (PTG). Their moderating role was also examined among predictors such as social support and the subjective severity of event with PTS and PTG. Two hundred and eleven Chilean adults (58.3% women) of 18 years and older who had been exposed to highly stressful were surveyed. The Brief-RCOPE, the Brief-COPE subscale of social support, the Subjective Severity of Event Scale, and a socio-demographic questionnaire were used as measurements at time one. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-short form (PTGI-SF) and Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT-E) was used to collect baseline scores and six months after. The results show that negative religious coping predicts the increase in PTS, positive religious coping predicts the increase in PTG and plays a moderation role: at low levels of positive religious coping it was found a strong association between coping by seeking social support and PTG, while at high level the association is weak. These results are discussed in the framework of the functionality of positive and negative religious coping and its role in adjusting to potentially traumatic events.

Crisis Counselors' Perceptions and Assessment of Suicidal Behavior Among Hurricane Survivors Receiving Crisis Counseling Services.

The aims of this study were to assess the awareness of risk for suicidal behaviors and perspectives of Project Recovery counselors who provided crisis counseling services to hurricane survivors. The Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview-Extended, a quantitative disaster mental health measure, was used to assess distress and dysfunction to the recent hurricanes. Project Recovery counselor data were collected through a 22-item qualitative interview. Seven out of 207 clients (3.4%) endorsed the quantitative item measuring suicidal ideation. Clients who reported suicidal ideation had significantly higher scores on items indicating a loss of enjoyment, feelings of depression, feeling less able to handle stress, and other mental health items. Counselor responses fell into 5 major themes: Assessment and Action, Client Characteristics, Services, Counselor Training and Preparedness, and Future Directions. Suicidal behavior is a serious mental health emergency, yet it remains a challenging issue as suicidal behaviors are complex and disaster survivors with suicidal ideation may experience intense psychological reactions to the event. In order to provide competent care to survivors experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, the need for counselors to receive adequate training in suicide assessment and management is essential.

Validation of the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (expanded version, Sprint-E) as a measure of postdisaster distress and treatment need.

Professionals and paraprofessionals working in disaster settings need tools to identify persons with mental health needs. To validate the Sprint-E as a measure of postdisaster distress and treatment need, the authors tested (1) the concurrent validity of the measure compared with other measures of distress, (2) the sensitivity and specificity of a "3/7 rule" on the Sprint-E relative to probable PTSD diagnosis, and (3) the hypothesis that Sprint-E scores would be stable in the absence of treatment but would improve in its presence. In Study 1, data were collected at the point of enrollment from 165 adults participating in a Florida treatment program implemented in response to the 2004 hurricanes. In Study 2, data were collected at points of referral, pretreatment, and intermediate treatment from 128 adults participating in a Baton Rouge Louisiana treatment program implemented in response to the 2005 hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. The utility of a 3/7 rule for the Sprint-E, with 3 suggesting possible and 7 suggesting probable treatment needs, was supported in Study 1. Tested against the PTSD Checklist, the Sprint-E performed well in ROC analyses (area under the curve = 0.87); a score of 7 achieved sensitivity of 78 percent and specificity of 79 percent. In Study 2, Sprint-E scores evidenced little change between referral and pretreatment but substantial change between pretreatment and intermediate treatment. The Sprint-E is useful as an assessment and referral tool in situations where more in-depth assessment is not feasible and mental health services are available.

A Psychometric Analysis of Project Liberty's Adult Enhanced Services Referral Tool

Project Liberty was the first federally funded crisis counseling program to offer evidence-informed treatments to crisis counseling recipients in need of more intensive clinical intervention. The Adult Enhanced Services Referral Tool was developed as a screening instrument for making and monitoring referrals to enhanced services. This study aimed to examine how well the tool functioned for identifying persons who would perceive a need for professional treatment. A one-page tool was created that assessed demographic characteristics, risk categories, and psychological reactions to the focal event, September 11, 2001. Psychosocial reactions were assessed by the 12-item SPRINT-E, which is an expanded version of the Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT). The SPRINT-E was embedded in the Adult Enhanced Services Referral Tool. Data were collected from 788 clients who received crisis counseling between June and October 2003. The SPRINT-E is a unidimensional measure of distress and dysfunction. Internal consistency was excellent for the total sample (alpha=.93) and subsamples. Among the 543 clients offered referral, 71 percent accepted. Among those offered referral, the number of intense reactions (score of 4, quite a bit, or 5, very much) was by far the strongest predictor of referral acceptance. The SPRINT-E was successfully integrated into the crisis counseling program and provided an apparently successful, empirical basis for referral from counseling to professional treatment. Results of the brief psychological assessment provided a stronger basis for referral to treatment than membership in a risk category (for example, family member of deceased) alone.

Outcomes of Enhanced Counseling Services Provided to Adults Through Project Liberty

Project Liberty provided brief crisis counseling to 753,015 residents of New York City and surrounding counties after the attacks on the World Trade Center. Most regained predisaster functioning after counseling. For those who did not, Project Liberty provided enhanced services by specially trained, licensed mental health professionals. Individuals receiving crisis counseling and enhanced services responded to confidential telephone interviews about 18 and 24 months, respectively, after the attacks. Impairment was compared between groups to determine whether enhanced services recipients reported improved functioning and fewer symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress, and complicated grief. Crisis counseling recipients (N=153) were interviewed once and enhanced services recipients (N=76) were interviewed twice about symptomatology and daily functioning. The samples did not differ in age or gender. Significantly greater proportions of enhanced services recipients reported knowing someone who died as a result of the attacks, having been involved in rescue efforts, or having lost their job because of the attacks. Compared with crisis counseling respondents, enhanced services recipients at their first interview reported significantly more symptoms of depression, grief, and traumatic stress and significantly poorer daily functioning in five life areas. At follow-up, enhanced services respondents reported significant improvement in three of five functioning domains, significantly fewer symptoms of depression and grief, and marginally less traumatic stress. Recipients of enhanced services were more impaired than people who received only crisis counseling. On the basis of reports from service recipients, meaningful improvements in functioning and symptoms may be associated with the receipt of enhanced services.

Mirtazapine vs. placebo in posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot trial

Background Based on an earlier pilot study, as well as a theoretical consideration of its mechanism of action, we undertook a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of mirtazapine in posttraumatic stress disorder. Methods Twenty-nine patients were randomized to receive drug up to 45 mg/day or placebo double-blind on a 2:1 ratio for 8 weeks, with data being available for analysis in 26. Primary outcome measures comprised the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT) Global Improvement item and total score. Secondary measures comprised the Davidson Trauma Scale, Structured Interview for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. Adverse events were also measured. Results On the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview Global Improvement measure, rates of response were 64.7% and 20.0% for mirtazapine and placebo. Treatment effects in favor of mirtazapine were noted on the Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview global, Structured Interview for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale anxiety subscale scores. The drug was well tolerated. Conclusions Mirtazapine was more effective than placebo on some measures in posttraumatic stress disorder and general anxiety symptoms.