Traumatic Events Scale Research Articles

The link between childhood traumatic events and the continuum of premenstrual disorders.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), collectively known as Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs), cause significant distress and functional impairment, and premenstrual exacerbation (PME) affects a large proportion of women with psychiatric diagnoses. Childhood trauma is one factor that may contribute to PMD/PME risk. This study examines the relationship between childhood trauma and PMDs, PME, and non-PMD psychiatric illness. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort. Participants completed self-assessments on childhood trauma using the Childhood Traumatic Event Scale (CTE-S) and on premenstrual symptoms using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed through structured clinical interviews. Participants were divided into four groups based on their PSST scores and psychiatric illness status: (1) Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs; moderate to severe PMS and PMDD), (2) PME, (3) psychiatric controls (PC; individuals with psychiatric illness but no significant premenstrual symptoms), and (4) healthy controls (HC; individuals with no psychiatric illness and no significant premenstrual symptoms). Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, Tukey's HSD test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression, were conducted to examine differences among the groups. Data from 391 participants were analyzed. Participants with PME and PC reported a higher quantity and severity of childhood traumatic events compared to HCs (p <.05). There was a weak but significant correlation between childhood trauma and premenstrual symptom burden across all groups (R = .18, p <.001). Within-group analysis revealed moderate correlations between childhood trauma and premenstrual symptoms driven by the PMD group (R = .42, p = .01). The findings underscore the impact of childhood traumatic events on mental health and premenstrual symptoms and highlight the need for additional research to explore the underlying mechanisms linking childhood trauma to the continuum of premenstrual disorders, to improve the efficacy of trauma-focused interventions for affected individuals.

The prevalence of lifetime trauma and association with physical and psychosocial health among adults at the end of life.

National guidelines recognize lifetime trauma as relevant to clinical care for adults nearing the end of life. We determined the prevalence of early life and cumulative trauma among persons at the end of life by gender and birth cohort, and the association of lifetime trauma with end-of-life physical, mental, and social well-being. We used nationally representative Health and Retirement Study data (2006-2020), including adults age > 50 who died while enrolled (N = 6495). Early life and cumulative traumatic events were measured using an 11-item traumatic events scale (cumulative trauma: 0-5+ events over the lifespan). We included six birth cohorts (born <1924; children of depression [1924-1930]; HRS cohort [1931-1941]; war babies [1942-1947]; early baby-boomers [1948-1953]; mid-baby boomers [1954-1959]). End-of-life outcomes included validated measures of physical (pain, fatigue, dyspnea), mental (depression, life satisfaction), and social (loneliness, social isolation) needs. We report the prevalence of lifetime trauma by gender and birth cohort and the adjusted probability of each end-of-life outcome by trauma using multivariable logistic regression. The mean age at death was 78 years (SD = 11.1) and 52% were female. Lifetime trauma was common (0 events: 19%; 1-2: 47%; 3-4: 25%; 5+: 9%), with variation in individual events (e.g., death of a child, weapons in combat) by gender and birth cohort. After adjustment, increasing cumulative trauma was significantly associated (p-value<0.001) with higher reports of end-of-life moderate-to-severe pain (0 events: 46%; 1-2 events: 50%; 3-4 events: 57%; 5+ events: 60%), fatigue (58%; 60%; 66%; 69%), dyspnea (46%; 51%; 56%; 58%), depression (24%; 33%; 37%; 40%), loneliness (12%; 17%; 19%; 22%), and lower life satisfaction (73%; 63%; 58%; 54%). Older adults in the last years of life report a high prevalence of lifetime traumatic events which are associated with worse end-of-life physical and psychosocial health. A trauma-informed approach to end-of-life care and management of physical and psychosocial needs may improve a patient's quality of life.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders' Identity and Housing Status: The Impact on Historical Trauma and Perceived Stress.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) are overrepresented in Hawai'i's houseless population. Indigenous populations, such as NHPIs, may encounter experiences of historical trauma that impact their well-being. This original research project examines how NHPI identity and houselessness compound to affect the perceived stress and historical trauma of transition-aged youth. Fifty-one participants aged 18 to 24 (M = 21.37, SD = 1.93) completed a survey that included the historical traumatic events scale, historical loss scale, perceived stress scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Over half (n = 26, 51.0%) of the participants identified as NHPI. A two-way ANOVA indicated a non-significant effect of NHPI identity and housing status on perceived stress. However, housed participants scored significantly higher than participants experiencing houselessness on the historical traumatic events scale (p = 0.006). Our findings elucidate the role of knowledge in the experience of historical trauma. Further results, limitations, and future directions are offered.

Assessing anxiety symptoms and Traumatic Event Scale scores among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia: a descriptive cohort study in Bogotá

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess anxiety and suffering symptoms amid the pandemic, determine factors linked to physicians’ anxiety with COVID-19 patients and describe symptom progression in the initial year of...

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the symptomatology and routine of medicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

To study the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the routine of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and changes in symptoms and suicidal-related behavior, mainly in those with cleaning symptoms. In this cross-sectional study, 58 patients completed an online self-report questionnaire that included the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, Coronavirus Stress and Traumatic Events Scale, Coronavirus Health Impact Survey, Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression inventories, and Suicide-Related Behaviors Questionnaire. Comparisons were made with another pre-pandemic sample (n=524) regarding the last three measures. During the pandemic, the patients spent more days inside their homes (χ² = 33.39, p = 0.007), changed their alcohol consumption patterns (χ² = 87.6, p < 0.001), and increased social media usage (χ² = 68.83, p < 0.001). Participants with cleaning symptoms did not significantly differ from the others in relation to stress, anxiety/depressive symptoms, or suicidal-related behaviors. Finally, our sample did not differ from an equivalent OCD sample assessed before the pandemic in terms of anxiety and depressive symptom severity or suicidal-related behaviors. Overall, patients with OCD showed no lifestyle changes associated with higher stress levels during the pandemic. Patients with and without cleaning symptoms and patients before and during the pandemic presented similar results.

How do different childbirth experience scales predict childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms and disorder?

Purpose Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth causes severe and lasting effects. Screening of childbirth experience may expedite early PTSD recognition. Systematic reviews have not provided consensus on how and when to measure childbirth experience and the clinical implications of such measurements. We aimed to identify a reliable and simple scale for screening the childbirth experience with minimum risk of missing PTSD. Materials and methods This cohort study evaluated the childbirth experience of 1527 unselected women with Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ-B), Delivery Satisfaction Scale (DSS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS was measured first <1 week (VAS1) and then, together with the other scales, a few months after childbirth (VAS2). The scales’ ability to identify PTSD (measured with Traumatic Event Scale) was evaluated and compared with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness were used to suggest cutoff values for scales. Results W-DEQ-B showed highest recognition of partial or full PTSD (area under the ROC curve 0.96 in W-DEQ-B, 0.92 in VAS2, 0.91 in DSS and 0.82 in VAS1). Conclusions All included scales recognized partial or full PTSD well. Although W-DEQ-B performed best, VAS (measured twice) with cutoff value of 50 mm is most suitable for screening in clinical circumstances.

Psychometric properties of the Greek Version of the Traumatic Event Scale (TES) (Version A) among low-risk pregnant women

BackgroundThe Traumatic Event Scale (TES) is one of the most often used instruments for the assessment of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology during pregnancy which is linked with adverse effects. The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the TES (version A) in a sample of Greek pregnant women.MethodsTwo hundred one low risk pregnant women in their second or third trimester were invited to participate in the study. Participants completed a number of questionnaires including the Greek versions of TES-A, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted in order to test how well the already TES-A five-factor model fits the data from Greece.ResultsParticipants’ average age was 34.2 years (SD = 4.3 years). Through CFA the already five-factor structure of the TES-A (Anticipation of trauma, Intrusion, Avoidance, Resignation, Hyperstimulation) was applied to our sample. All five factors were significantly and positively correlated with each other. All Cronbach’s alpha were over 0.7, indicating acceptable reliability of the factors. Relatively convergent validity, all factors of the Greek version of the TES-A were significantly associated with stress, anxiety, depression and coping strategies.ConclusionThe Greek version of TES-A is detected to be a valid and reliable instrument of prenatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology among low-risk Greek pregnant women.

Disorganized attachment, mentalization and dissociation in context of childhood trauma: Implications for depressive symptoms

AbstractExtensive evidence indicates that adults with experience of childhood trauma and disorganised attachment are at a higher risk of suffering from depressive symptoms, while at the same time dissociation and mentalisation are very important risk and protective factors in this relation. Although mentalisation and dissociation are mentioned as potential mediators of this relationship, very few studies have analysed the mutual relations between these variables. Bearing in mind the importance of creating more specific and effective ways for dealing with depression, especially within vulnerable groups such as the traumatised, the aim of this research is to examine a serial mediation model in which disorganisation is modelled as effecting a decrease in mentalisation, in turn lead to dissociation, thereby resulting in depressive symptoms. Adult respondents (N = 153) with a history of interpersonal childhood trauma were selected from a larger geographical cluster sample from the general population of Serbia. The respondents filled in a battery of instruments, including The Childhood Traumatic Events Scale, Relationship Questionnaire – CV, Patient Health Questionnaire, Short Scale for the Assessment of Stress‐Related Dissociation Symptomatology and the Mentalisation Scale. Our findings suggest that disorganisation has an effect on depression by leading to a decrease in the ability to mentalise, which further triggers dissociation, resulting in depressive symptoms as a final consequence (estimated indirect effect = 0.014, 95 percent CI = 0.005 to 0.026). Additionally, the specific indirect effect involving dissociation as the sole mediator was also significant (estimated indirect effect = 0.058, 95 percent CI = 0.030 to 0.091). Targeting dissociative symptoms in the treatment in patients struggling with depression aftermath of traumatic experience could gain a great benefit for recognition and selection of more adequate treatment strategies.

Effect of internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy among women with negative birth experiences on mental health and quality of life - a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundGiving birth is often a positive experience, but 7–44% have negative experiences and about 4% develop posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth (PTSD FC). This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the effect of internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT) for women with negative birth experiences and/or at risk for PTSD FC.MethodsThis was a superiority nonblinded multicentre RCT comparing iCBT combined with treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU only. Data were collected through questionnaires at baseline, at 6 weeks, 14 weeks and 1 year after randomization. The RCT was conducted at four delivery clinics in Sweden and participants were recruited from September 2013 until March 2018. Women who rated their childbirth experience as negative on a Likert scale, and/or had an immediate caesarean section or a haemorrhage of > 2000 ml were eligible. Primary outcomes were symptoms of posttraumatic stress (Traumatic Event Scale, TES) and symptoms of depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS). Secondary outcomes were satisfaction with life (Satisfaction With Life Scale, SWLS) and coping (Ways of Coping Questionnaire, WCQ).ResultsOut of 1810 eligible women, 266 women were randomised to iCBT+TAU (n = 132) or to TAU (n = 134). In the iCBT+TAU group 59 (45%) completed the treatment. ICBT+TAU did not reduce PTSD FC at 6 weeks, at 14 weeks, or at 1 year follow-up compared with TAU, according to the TES. Both the ITT and completer analyses showed significant time and quadratic time effects due to reduction of symptoms in both groups on the TES (re-experience subscale) and on the EPDS, and significant time effect on the self-controlling subscale of the WCQ (which increased over time). There was also a significant main effect of group on the SWLS where the TAU group showed higher initial satisfaction with life. Exploratory subgroup analyses (negative birth experience, immediate caesarean section, or severe haemorrhage) showed significant time effects among participants with negative birth experience on re-experience, arousal symptoms and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThe ICBT intervention did not show superiority as both groups showed similar beneficial trajectories on several outcomes up to 1 year follow-up. This intervention for women with negative birth experiences and/or at risk for PTSD FC was feasible; however, the study suffered from significant drop out rate. Future studies with more narrow inclusion criteria and possibly a modified intervention are warranted.Trial registrationISRCTN39318241. Date for registration 12/01/2017.

Effects of childhood trauma in psychopathy and response inhibition.

Childhood trauma is linked to impairments in executive function and working memory, thought to underly psychological disorders including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Research demonstrates that childhood trauma can partially mediate posttraumatic stress disorder in those with executive function deficits. Despite a link with executive function deficit, psychopathy as a consequence of trauma is yet to be studied in this context. The present study investigates the possibility of a relationship between childhood trauma, psychopathic traits, and response inhibition. Eighty participants were tasked to completed the Childhood Traumatic Events Scale (Pennebaker & Susman, 2013), Levenson's Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (Levenson et al., 1995), and Flanker task of response inhibition (Eriksen & Eriksen, 1974). Scores of trauma exposure, psychopathic traits, and reaction times in the Flanker task were measured. Regression analysis revealed no significance for trauma exposure in predicting psychopathic traits (p = .201) and response inhibition (p = .183), indicating that childhood trauma does not strongly predict susceptibility to psychopathic traits or response inhibition deficits. These findings form an important basis on which to build a further understanding of the consequences of childhood trauma exposure, specifically in terms of understanding how specific cognitive functions may be influenced and providing a clearer understanding of how psychopathic traits develop.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms 2 Months After Vaginal Delivery.

To assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and identify characteristics associated with it 2 months after singleton vaginal delivery at or near term. We conducted an ancillary cohort study of the TRAAP (TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery) randomized controlled trial in 15 French hospitals in 2015-2016. Women who had singleton vaginal delivery after 35 weeks of gestation were enrolled. After randomization, characteristics of labor and delivery were prospectively collected and paid special attention to postpartum blood loss. Posttraumatic stress disorder profile and provisional diagnosis were assessed 2 months after childbirth by two self-administered questionnaires: the IES-R (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) and the TES (Traumatic Event Scale). Associations between potential risk factors and PTSD symptoms were analyzed by multivariable logistic or linear regression modeling, depending on the type of dependent variable. Questionnaires were returned by 2,740 of 3,891 women for the IES-R and 2,785 of 3,891 women for the TES (70.4% and 71.6% response rate). The prevalence of PTSD symptoms was 4.9% (95% CI 4.1-5.8%; 137/2,785) with the TES, and the prevalence of PTSD provisional diagnosis was 1.6% (95% CI 1.2-2.1%; 44/2,740), with the IES-R and 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.8%; 9/2,080) with the TES. Characteristics associated with a higher risk of PTSD in multivariable analysis were vulnerability factors - notably migrant status and history of psychiatric disorder (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.7 95% CI 1.4-5.2) - and obstetric factors - notably induced labor (aOR 1.5 95% CI 1.0-2.2), being labor longer than 6 hours (aOR 1.7 95% CI 1.1-2.5), postpartum hemorrhage of 1,000 mL or more (aOR 2.0 95% CI 1.0-4.2), and bad memories of delivery at day 2 postpartum (aOR 4.5 95% CI 2.4-8.3) as assessed with the IES-R. Results were similar with the TES. Approximately 1 of 20 women with vaginal delivery have PTSD symptoms at 2 months postpartum. History of psychiatric disorder, postpartum hemorrhage, and bad memories of deliveries at day 2 were the main factors associated with a PTSD profile.

Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among Lithuanian breast cancer patients and its risk factors

IntroductionPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more common among oncology patients than in the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among Lithuanian patients with breast cancer and to analyse its clinical, psychosocial and demographic risk factors. MethodsWomen with T1–T3/N0–N3/M0 stages of breast cancer took part in this study. There were two phases of the study: the first, before breast surgery (N = 421) and the second, a year after (N = 188). Women were given the following questionnaires: an Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R); Beck's Depression Inventory, second edition (BDI-II); and the Vrana-Lauterbach Traumatic Event Scale, Civilian version (TEQC). ResultsThe prevalence of PTSD symptoms significantly decreased over the year. Before surgery, women who were employed, had experienced emotionally traumatic events during their lifespan and were dissatisfied with delivery of the information about the disease had more PTSD symptoms. One year later, those who had undergone breast-saving surgery, were living in a partnership, had a higher education, were unemployed and had experienced severe traumatic events during the previous year had more PTSD symptoms. The IES-R questionnaire's estimates correlated with BDI-II estimates. ConclusionsHealth care professionals, who work with cancer patients, are recommended to pay closer attention to the stress patients' experience, especially in those more vulnerable women who have several of the aforementioned risk factors. Targeted training for doctors, during which they could learn how to report the diagnosis to oncology patients would be of great benefit.

Risk and Protective Factors Related to Early Adverse Life Events in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a stress-sensitive disorder of brain-gut interactions associated with a higher prevalence of early adverse life events (EALs). However, it is incompletely understood how trauma severity or disclosure influence the risk of developing IBS or symptom severity. To determine whether (1) IBS patients report a greater number of EALs compared with healthy controls; (2) trauma severity and first age of EAL increase the odds of IBS; (3) confiding in others reduces the odds of IBS; (4) the number, trauma severity, and first age of EAL are associated with symptom severity; (5) sex differences exist. In total, 197 IBS patients (72% women, mean age=30.28 y) and 165 healthy controls (59% women, mean age=30.77 y) completed the Childhood Traumatic Events Scale, measuring severity of EALs and degree of confiding in others. Regression analyses were used to predict IBS status from EALs and association between gastrointestinal symptoms and EALs. A greater number of EALs [odds ratio (OR)=1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-1.62; P<0.001] and higher perceived trauma severity (OR=1.13, 95% CI, 1.08-1.19; P<0.001) were associated with increased odds of IBS. Confiding in others decreased the odds of having IBS (OR=0.83, 95% CI, 0.72-0.96; P=0.012). The first age of EAL was not predictive of IBS. No sex differences were found. Assessing the traumatic severity of EALs and amount of confiding in others is important as they can affect the risk of having IBS. Our findings emphasize early intervention to improve health outcomes in individuals with EALs.

The intensity of childhood trauma has no impact on the cognitive development of decision-making style to be exhibited in adulthood

The literature shows that childhood experiences, specifically those of trauma, have an impact on cognitive development. However, it remains unclear exactly how trauma influences the way in which high order cognitive processes, including decision-making are manifested in adulthood. Improving our understanding of the role childhood trauma has in the development of specific cognitive processes will aid in developing improved interventions and practices in the realm of childhood trauma. Here we investigated the relationship between intensity of childhood trauma, age of traumatic event, intensity of confiding in someone at the time of the traumatic event, and general decision-making style in adulthood. Participants completed the childhood traumatic events scale (CTES; Pennebaker &amp; Susman, 2013), and decision-making style in adulthood (GDMS; Scott &amp; Bruce, 1995). Intuitive decision-making style was most frequently seen, however no significant effect of intensity of childhood trauma, age, confiding on decision-making style in adulthood was observed. These findings indicate that intensity of childhood trauma may not impact the way in which decision-making develops.

ARE SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN AT RISK FOR VICTIMIZATION BY PEERS?

Abstract BACKGROUND A few studies suggest that children who suffered maltreatment are more at risk for victimization by peers. However, there is little knowledge about factors that may influence the risk of re-victimization by peers for sexually abused (SA) children. OBJECTIVES Identify if self-blame and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are risk factors for SA children victimization by peers. DESIGN/METHODS 376 children (248 girls and 128 boys) between 5 to 14 years of age were recruited within five centers for child and youth SA evaluation. Victimization by peers was measured with the Report Victimization Scale answered by the child, his parent and his teacher. PTSS were measured with the subscale of the Children’s Impact of Traumatic Events Scale (CITES II) and self-blame was measured with three items from the subscale guilt/blame of ​CITES II. Characteristics of the abuse were abstracted from the medical chart. Description of SA was done according to Russell’s classification: less severe (physical contact over clothing), severe (physical contact without penetration, and without using of force), very severe (attempted or actual penetration). Statistical analysis was done through logistic regression. RESULTS Abuse was very severe in 61% of cases and chronic in 37.4% of cases. Aggressors were family members in 53.3% of cases. Clinical level of peer victimization was reported for 19.2% of children by their own score, 9.2% by parental score and 3.6% by teacher’s score. PTSS were at the clinical level for 53.3% of children Around 60% of the sample reported feelings of blame, as indicated by at least one score of “somewhat true”on one of the three items. The dichotomized analysis (clinical vs subclinical score of victimization by peers) showed that PTSS were positively associated with the child’s peer victimization score (Exp (B) = 1.05, p&lt;.02), and self-blame was positively associated with the parent’s peer victimization score (Exp(B)=1.23, p&lt;.05). Results of a Sobel test revealed that PTSS completely mediated the positive relationship between self-blame and peer victimization (Standard Beta = .37, p&lt;.01). In the final model, self-blame was positively associated with PTSS (Standard Beta = .54, p&lt;.01), while the latter were positively associated with victimization by peers (Standard Beta = .44, p&lt;.01). The final model explained 26.7% of the variance of victimization by peers. CONCLUSION These results suggest that PTSS and self-blame are key targets for intervention in order to diminish the risk of victimization by peers in SA children.

Partners of nulliparous women with severe fear of childbirth: A longitudinal study of psychological well-being.

Little is known about the psychological status of partners of women with severe fear of childbirth (FOC). In this longitudinal study from Helsinki University Central Hospital, we investigated FOC, depression, and posttraumatic stress in the partners of women with severe FOC, and possible effects of group psychoeducation and mode of birth. During pregnancy, 250 partners of nulliparous women with severe FOC participated, 93 in the intervention group and 157 in the control group. At 3months postpartum, 52 partners in the intervention group and 93 in the control group participated. Both the partners and the childbearing women filled in the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale mid-pregnancy as well as 3months postpartum, when they also filled in the Traumatic Event Scale. Partners of women with severe FOC reported less antenatal and postnatal FOC and fewer depressive symptoms than the childbearing women. No partner reached the threshold of severe FOC. No partner reported a possible posttraumatic stress disorder. Group psychoeducation with relaxation was not associated with better or worse psychological well-being of the partners. An emergency cesarean delivery was associated with a more fearful delivery experience in the partners. Partners of nulliparous women with severe FOC neither seem to suffer from severe FOC nor reported posttraumatic stress symptoms after childbirth. They reported better psychological well-being than the mothers both during pregnancy and after delivery. An unexpected cesarean may be a negative experience even for partners of childbearing women.

Survivors of Trauma and Positive Psychological Attributes: A Correlational Study

The current paper titled: ‘Survivors of Trauma and Positive Psychological Attributes: A Correlational Study’ attempted to understand the impact of trauma on the variables- Grit, Flourish and Posttraumatic Growth. For the purpose of assessment, the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, Grit Scale, Flourish Scale and a revised version of Pennebaker and Susman’s Recent Traumatic Events Scale and Childhood Traumatic Events Scale were utilized. The study was administered on 67 working individuals between the ages 25-35 who have had experienced at least one traumatic event in their life. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to find the relationship between the variables. The results showed that impact of Trauma is negatively correlated with Grit and Flourish and there is a positive correlation between Trauma and Posttraumatic Growth. But there was no significant relationship that existed between the impact of trauma and the variables of Post-traumatic Growth, Flourish and Grit.

The effect of COMT Val158Met and DRD2 C957T polymorphisms on executive function and the impact of early life stress.

IntroductionPrevious research has indicated that variation in genes encoding catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) may influence cognitive function and that this may confer vulnerability to the development of mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. However, increasing evidence suggests environmental factors such as early life stress may interact with genetic variants in affecting these cognitive outcomes. This study investigated the effect of COMT Val158Met and DRD2 C957T polymorphisms on executive function and the impact of early life stress in healthy adults.MethodsOne hundred and twenty‐two healthy adult males (mean age 35.2 years, range 21–63) were enrolled in the study. Cognitive function was assessed using Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and early life stress was assessed using the Childhood Traumatic Events Scale (Pennebaker & Susman, 1988).Results DRD2 C957T was significantly associated with executive function, with CC homozygotes having significantly reduced performance in spatial working memory and spatial planning. A significant genotype–trauma interaction was found in Rapid Visual Information Processing test, a measure of sustained attention, with CC carriers who had experienced early life stress exhibiting impaired performance compared to the CC carriers without early life stressful experiences. There were no significant findings for COMT Val158Met.ConclusionsThis study supports previous findings that DRD2 C957T significantly affects performance on executive function related tasks in healthy individuals and shows for the first time that some of these effects may be mediated through the impact of childhood traumatic events. Future work should aim to clarify further the effect of stress on neuronal systems that are known to be vulnerable in mental health disorders and more specifically what the impact of this might be on cognitive function.

The genesis and presentation of anxiety in disorders of autonomic overexcitation.

We investigated the genesis and presentation of previously-reported anxiety in disorders of autonomic overexcitation in relation to interoception, body vigilance and trauma to test our hypothesis that patients with the postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), vasovagal syncope (VVS) and essential hyperhidrosis (EH) represent atypical anxiety phenotypes in whom affective symptoms are more related to apprehension and vigilance of physiological (interoceptive) feedback than neurotic or trauma-related factors. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Body Vigilance Scale, Self-consciousness Scale, Childhood Traumatic Events Scale and heartbeat tracking tasks were completed by 23 healthy controls, 21 PoTS, 20 EH and 20 VVS patients. Interoceptive accuracy (IA) was assessed during supine rest (9min), isometric exercise (3min), cold pressor (90s) and head up tilt (HUT) (9min). In comparison to controls, PoTS, VVS and EH patients reported increased symptoms of somatic anxiety but not of social anxiety/self-consciousness or trauma. Autonomic patients' IA was diminished and consistently underestimated even during autonomic arousal compared to controls. Controls and EH IA negatively correlated with somatic anxiety/hypervigilance, whereas PoTS and VVS IA and somatic anxiety/vigilance positively correlated. Affective symptoms in PoTS, VVS and EH appear to be driven by anxiety and vigilance of physical sensations/symptoms, rather than trauma or neurosis. Increased somatic vigilance/anxiety in PoTS and VVS may be due to interoception being anxiogenic in these cohorts. Diminished interoception may be due to a common central dysregulation, as both sudomotor and cardiovascular forms of autonomic dysfunction had comparable IA deficits. These findings provide a possible therapeutic pathway for psychological symptoms in PoTS, VVS and EH.

Self-Blame and Avoidance Coping as Predictors of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Sexually Abused Children

Abstract BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse is clearly associated with posttrau-matic stress symptoms (PTSS). Prior studies have identified self-blame and coping as important predictors of PTSS among adult survivors of sexual assault. However, few studies have explored the potential impact of self-blame and avoidance coping in influencing PTSS in children who have disclosed sexual abuse. OBJECTIVES: This study attempted to test the contribution of self-blame and avoidance coping to the prediction of PTSS among sexually abused children. The severity of the abuse and child’s gender were also examined. DESIGN/METHODS: The sample consisted of 477 sexually abused children (319 girls and 128 boys), aged 6 to 12. Self-blame and PTSS were evaluated by the Children’s Impact of Traumatic Events Scale II. A brief version of the Self-Report Coping Scale was used to assess children’s coping avoidance. These questionnaires were child self-report measures. The severity of the abuse was categorized as (1) less severe (physical contact over clothing), (2) severe (physical contact under clothing without penetration or force) and (3) more severe (physical contact with penetration or attempted penetration). Linear regression analysis was used to test the contribution of self-blame and avoidance coping to the prediction of PTSS. First, the child’s gender and the severity of the abuse were entered, and secondly, self-blame and avoidance coping. RESULTS: A total of 10.7% of the sample reported less severe sexual abuse, 27.7% reported severe sexual abuse and 61.6% reported more severe abuse. The model which only included child’s gender and severity of the abuse explained 3.8% of the variance (F=9.04, p&amp;lt;0.001) in PTSS. Adding self-blame and avoidance coping, the proportion of explained variance increased to 35.1% (F=56.62%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Being a girl (beta=0.15, p&amp;lt;0.001), reporting high levels of self-blame (beta=0.26, p&amp;lt;0.001) and using avoidance coping (beta=0.43, p&amp;lt;0.001) were predictors of PTSS. The severity of the abuse was significant into the first model (beta=0.14, p=0.004), but not into the final one (beta=0.08, p=0.057). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that sense of self-blame and using avoidance coping are important targets for clinical intervention with sexually abused children, because these factors contribute to the prediction of PTSS among this vulnerable population.