Types Of Traumatic Events Research Articles

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and medically traumatic events (TEs) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer: a report from the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) randomized controlled trial.

In adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer, we examined (1) the distribution and type of traumatic events (TEs) experienced prior to baseline assessment and (2) how a resilience intervention, Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM), impacted changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for AYAs with and without TEs. AYAs (12-25 years) within 1-10 weeks of diagnosis of new malignancy or ever diagnosed with advanced cancer were enrolled and randomly assigned to usual care (UC) with or without PRISM. To assess TEs, we screened medical records for traditionally defined adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and medical traumatic events. Age-validated PROs assessed resilience, benefit-finding, hope, generic health-related quality of life (QoL), cancer-specific QoL, depression, and anxiety at enrollment and 6 months later. We calculated effect sizes (Cohen's d) for PRISM vs. UC effect on PRO score change at 6 months for 1+ TEs and 0 TE groups. Ninety-two AYAs enrolled and completed baseline surveys (44-UC, 48-PRISM; N = 74 at 6 months, 38-UC, 36-PRISM); 60% experienced 1+ TEs. PROs at baseline were similar across groups. PRISM's effect on score change was greater (Cohen's d ≥ 0.5) for the 1+ TE group on domains of benefit-finding and hope; and similar (d < 0.5) on domains of resilience, depression, anxiety, and both generic and cancer-specific QoL. In AYAs with cancer, TEs occurred at similar rates as the general population. PRISM may be particularly helpful for improving benefit-finding and hope for those who have experienced TEs.

The association of traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder with greater eating disorder and comorbid symptom severity in residential eating disorder treatment centers.

Traumatic events, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms are commonly associated with eating disorders (ED). Several clinical features indicative of a more severe and complex course have been associated with traumatized ED patients, especially those with PTSD, who may be more likely admitted to residential treatment (RT). Research in this population is sparse but of increasing interest. Adult participants (96.7% female) with EDs entering RT (n = 642) at seven sites in the U.S. completed validated self-report assessments of ED, PTSD, major depression, state-trait anxiety, and quality of life. Presumptive diagnoses of DSM-5 PTSD (PTSD+) were made via the Life Events Checklist-5 and the PTSD Symptom Checklist for DSM-5. PTSD+ occurred in 49.3% of patients. PTSD+ patients had significantly higher scores on all assessment measures (p ≤ .001), including measures of ED psychopathology, depression, state-trait anxiety, and quality of life. Those with PTSD+ had significantly higher numbers of lifetime traumatic event types, higher rates of almost all lifetime traumatic events, and a greater propensity toward binge-type EDs. Results confirm that ED-PTSD+ patients in RT are more symptomatic and have worse quality of life than ED patients without PTSD+. Integrated treatment approaches that effectively address ED-PTSD+ are greatly needed.

Temporal Stability of Self-Reported Trauma Exposure on the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5.

The Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5) is a comprehensive screening instrument used to detect exposure to a range of potentially traumatic events. Despite its widespread use, research assessing the psychometric properties of scores on the LEC-5-and trauma exposure more broadly-is scarce. Using a large sample of undergraduate students (N = 1,013), we sought to evaluate the reliability of trauma exposure reporting on the LEC-5 across 8- (N = 379) and 12-week (N = 343) intervals. Reliability estimates were examined for trauma exposure type (e.g., experiencing, witnessing), traumatic event type (e.g., sexual assault), and index trauma (i.e., "worst event") reporting. Reliability was more stable for events that were directly experienced, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) = .62-64, than events that were witnessed, ICCs = .47-.52, or learned about, ICCs = .48-.53. Test-retest agreement was fair to good for reports of sexual assault, physical assault, transportation accidents, natural disasters, and other sexual experiences, κs = .49-.72, but only when individuals directly experienced these events. By contrast, across both assessment intervals, the agreement was attenuated, all κs < .40, for events that individuals witnessed or learned about regardless of event type. For index events, only sexual assault and sudden accidental or violent deaths were consistently reported with a fair or better agreement, κs = .42-.64. These findings suggest that reliable trauma reporting varies largely based on the nature of the traumatic event, yielding important implications for the assessment of DSM-5 Criterion A and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Trauma, mental health, and everyday functioning among Rohingya refugee peopleliving in short- and long-term resettlements.

This study investigated if Rohingya refugeepeople resettled in camps in rural Bangladesh and urban locations in Malaysia had different levels of trauma, mental health and everyday functioning. The study also examined if direct and indirect exposure to traumatic events could predict PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety, and everyday functioning in the two groups separately. An attempt was also made to see if the relations between trauma and mental health were different across the two settings. This was a cross-sectional study, for which we conveniently recruited 100 adult Rohingyas, 50 from each country; the majority was males. Rohingyas in Bangladesh fled Myanmar's Rakhine State following a major military crackdown in 2017, whereas Rohingyas in Malaysia fled Rakhine gradually over the last three decades because of recurrent violence and military operations. We assessed trauma (cumulative trauma, direct trauma, and indirect trauma), PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety, and everyday functioning of the participants using traumatic event questionnaire, PTSD-8, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WHODAS-2.0. The Bangladeshi cohort experienced more types of traumatic events (i.e., cumulative trauma) than did the Malaysian cohort (d = 0.58). Although the two cohorts did not differ in terms of indirect exposure to traumatic incidents (i.e., indirect trauma), the Malaysian cohort had direct exposure to traumatic events (i.e., direct trauma) more frequently than did the Bangladeshi cohort (d = 1.22). The Bangladeshi cohort showed higher PTSD (d = 1.67), depression (d = 0.81), generalized anxiety (d = 1.49), and functional impairment (d = 2.51) than those in Malaysia. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that after controlling for demographic variables, both direct and indirect trauma significantly predicted PTSD, depression, and functional impairment among Rohingyas in Bangladesh, with direct trauma being the stronger predictor. However, similar analyses showed that only indirect trauma predicted PTSD among Rohingyas in Malaysia, while all other effects were nonsignificant. The results also showed that the predictive relationship between direct trauma and PTSD was different across the two countries. With the same level of direct trauma, a participant from Malaysia would score 0.256 points lower in PTSD than a participant from Bangladesh. The recently experienced direct and indirect trauma have impaired mental health and everyday functioning among the Bangladeshi cohort. However, only indirect trauma was active to cause PTSD in the Malaysian cohort as direct trauma was weakening due to the time elapsed since migration. We discuss the results in the context of the current theories of trauma and mental health and suggest therapeutic interventions for the refugee population.

The Relationship Between the Types of Traumatic Events and Well-Being, Post-Traumatic Stress Levels and Gender Differences in Syrian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Controlled Study.

This study aims to compare the types and frequency of traumatic events in Syrian patients. Additionally, the study investigates the relationship between the types of traumatic events and post-traumatic stress and mental well-being based on gender differences among the Syrians. Sociodemographic form, the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire, the WHO-5 Well Being Index, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised were administered to the Syrian volunteers (n = 207) and a control group. The total number of traumatic experiences were higher in the patient (study) group and men compared to the healthy control group and women. The most significant predictors of the variables for the level of traumatic symptoms were total number of traumatic experiences and having lived in a war zone. Traumatic stress symptoms may be associated with the number and continuity of traumatic events. The number of traumatic events in Syrians could be higher in males. Mental well-being is more associated with daily stress factors than traumatic experiences. Therefore, post-migratory risk and protective factors need to be investigated to comprehend PTSD.

Does Trauma Shape Identity? Exploring the Links Between Lifetime Trauma Exposure and Identity Status in Emerging Adulthood.

In emerging adulthood, coherent identity plays a protective role against the development of the disturbed psychosocial functioning and is seen as one of the defining characteristics of positive youth development. The factors that shape the identity are still understudied and little quantitative research has addressed, how trauma exposure is linked to emerging adults’ identity. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate how exposure to traumatic experiences over the lifetime is associated with current identity status among emerging adults in an academic environment and to explore links between different types of traumatic experiences as well as the severity of exposure to trauma and identity statuses. The study sample consisted of 1,614 first-year undergraduate students from Lithuania with the age range of 18–29 years (M = 19.09, SD = 1.05, 68.28% female). The three distinct identity profiles were identified using the Latent Class Analysis, representing diffused, undifferentiated, and coherent identity statuses. The results provided no clear evidence of links between traumatic experiences and identity status for overall exposure and most types of traumatic events. However, our study concerns the potential importance of severe traumatic experiences, such as sexual trauma, on identity.

Does cumulative exposure to traumatic stressors predict treatment outcome of community-implemented exposure-based therapy for PTSD?

ABSTRACT Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is associated with high levels of functional impairments such as difficulties in academic or occupational performance and in social relationships. With an increasing number of traumatic event types experienced (trauma load), PTSD risk increases in a dose-dependent manner. Accordingly, high rates of PTSD can impair the reconstruction process in post-conflict societies. In order to meet these high needs for mental health services in societies with little access to professional care, task shifting approaches and community-based interventions have been suggested. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) has been developed as a short and pragmatic exposure-based PTSD treatment that can be easily trained to lay personnel. Yet, it remains unclear whether NET can be effectively provided by trained lay counsellors even at high levels of trauma load. Objective: To investigate whether trauma load influences the treatment effectiveness of NET provided by trained and supervised local lay counsellors. Method: Linear mixed models were calculated to investigate the influence of trauma load on treatment effectiveness in a sample of N = 323 rebel war survivors from Northern Uganda with PTSD. Results: We found a strong reduction of PTSD symptoms following NET, which was not influenced by trauma load. However, individuals with higher levels of trauma load reported higher PTSD symptoms before therapy as well as 4 and 10 months following treatment completion compared to individuals with lower trauma load. Conclusions: Treatment with NET by lay counsellors is effective independent of trauma load. However, individuals with higher trauma load have a higher probability to show residual symptoms, which might require additional time, sessions or treatment modules.

Profiles of resources and posttraumatic growth among cancer and psoriatic patients compared to non-clinical sample

Background/ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to explore the heterogeneity of resources, as described by the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, in a sample of cancer and psoriatic patients and to investigate whether heterogeneity within resources explains differences in Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) level within each of these clinical samples and in a non-clinical control group. MethodThe sample consisted of 925 participants, including 190 adults with a clinical diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer, 355 adults with a medical diagnosis of psoriasis, and 380 non-clinical (without any chronic illnesses) adults, all of whom had suffered various adverse and traumatic events. The participants completed a COR evaluation questionnaire and a posttraumatic growth inventory. ResultsA latent profile analysis revealed four different classes of psoriatic patients and five classes of cancer patients, all with different resources levels. Clinical subsamples differed substantially with PTG levels compared to healthy controls. ConclusionsOur study did not find a sole pattern of PTG that fit all the individuals, even for those who experienced the same type of traumatic event. Psychological counseling, in chronic illness particularly, should focus on the heterogenetic profiles of patients with different psychosocial characteristics.

The Experience of Working for Traumatic Stress Sufferers: Work as Therapy or Trigger?

While a return to work following trauma exposure can be therapeutic, this is not always so. As with many topics related to traumatic stress in organizations, several contingency factors complicate the effort to draw an overarching conclusion about whether returning to work is therapeutic. The goals of this paper are twofold. First, it presents important determinants of whether work is therapeutic or triggering for those with traumatic stress conditions. Second, the need for contingency approaches in the study of traumatic stress in organizations is illustrated. Three of the key determinants of whether a return to work is therapeutic or triggering for traumatic stress sufferers are (a) the type of traumatic event experienced, (b) the stress condition developed, and (c) the nature of the work setting. For instance, task-related traumas are more likely than natural disasters to make a return to work triggering. Additionally, while individuals with treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorders may exhibit very similar symptoms to those with acute stress disorders, acute stress disorders are more likely to respond favorably to a return to work. Finally, organizational compassion, managerial actions, and the presence or absence of culprits can affect how therapeutic an employee’s return to work posttrauma is.

A combination of combat experience, early abduction, and severe traumatization fuels appetitive aggression and violence among abductees of rebel war in Northern Uganda.

Individuals who perpetrate violence may likely perceive violence as appealing and infliction of violence to derive pleasure is termed as appetitive aggression. Individuals who were abducted as children into an armed group often experience a higher number of traumatic event types, that is traumatic load and are usually socialized in a violence-endorsing environment. This study aims to investigate the interaction between age at initial abduction with that of traumatic load, and their influence on appetitive aggression along with perpetration of violent acts by former members of an armed rebel group of both sexes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among a target group of formerly abducted rebel-war survivors (including participants with and without combat experience) from Northern Uganda. Participants included 596 women and 570 men with N = 1,166 (Mage = 32.58, SDage = 9.76, range: 18-80 years). We conducted robust linear regression models to investigate the influence of age at initial abduction, traumatic load, combat experience, and biological sex on appetitive aggression as well as their perpetrated violent acts. Our study shows, appetitive aggression and the number of perpetrated violent acts were specifically increased in individuals who were abducted young, experienced several traumatic events in their lifetime, and with previous combat experience. For perpetrated violence men showed increased levels whereas for appetitive aggression the association was independent of biological sex. Therefore, early abducted individuals with a higher traumatic load, who have combat experience, need to be given special intervention to prevent any further violence.

Interpersonal vs. Non-Interpersonal Cumulative Traumas and Psychiatric Symptoms in Treatment-Seeking Incarcerated Women

ABSTRACT Incarcerated women are at elevated risk of lifetime trauma exposure. Prevalence rates of trauma exposure and how these events relate to specific domains of psychiatric symptomology among this group are lacking. This study hypothesized a greater range of diverse cumulative trauma experiences (CTEs) would be positively associated with psychiatric symptoms in general (depression, PTSD, distress tolerance), but that interpersonal CTEs in particular would be uniquely associated with greater symptoms of guilt and shame. A total of 112 women (87% White, Mage = 34 years) seeking treatment for a history of sexual violence victimization participated in the study. Women incarcerated for nonviolent offenses at two minimum-security prisons completed self-report measures of exposure to diverse traumatic events and internalizing symptoms. On average, participants reported a history of experiencing 5.46 traumatic event types. Total CTEs was significantly associated with all psychiatric variables in the expected direction. While both interpersonal and non-interpersonal CTEs were positively associated with levels of PTSD, depression, and distress intolerance, only interpersonal CTEs were significantly associated with guilt and shame. Traumatic experiences that are interpersonal in nature may confer specific risk for psychiatric symptoms in victims.

Clinical Manifestations of Trauma Exposure in Fibromyalgia: The Role of Anxiety in the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Fibromyalgia Status.

Little research has investigated how traumatic experiences relate to fibromyalgia (FM). We explored the presence of trauma exposure in a sample of Spanish participants with FM and examined the associations between (a) the number and type of traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and (b) the severity of clinical manifestations in FM, testing for possible mediation models. Participants were 173 FM patients and 53 healthy controls aged 24 to 66 years. Traumatic event type (physical trauma, physical and sexual abuse, psychological trauma), PTSD symptoms, pain intensity, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, coping style, and daily functioning were evaluated via self-report. Fibromyalgia patients reported a higher percentage of trauma exposure than controls, more traumatic experiences (mainly emotional and physical trauma), and more PTSD symptoms, Hedges' gs/Cohen's ds = 0.42-0.76. Most FM patients reported having experienced their most distressing traumatic experience and PTSD symptoms before FM diagnosis. PTSD symptom severity was associated with more pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, coping style, and functional impairment, rs = .23-.33, ps = .025-.008. A multiple mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect of anxiety in the association between PTSD symptoms and daily functioning. In a subset of FM patients, PTSD symptoms were associated with major clinical symptoms. The results suggest future research should explore the effectiveness of trauma-focused therapy compared to standard cognitive behavioral therapy for these patients.

An Integrative Adapt Therapy for common mental health symptoms and adaptive stress amongst Rohingya, Chin, and Kachin refugees living in Malaysia: A randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundThis randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to compare 6-week posttreatment outcomes of an Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT) to a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on common mental health symptoms and adaptive capacity amongst refugees from Myanmar. IAT is grounded on psychotherapeutic elements specific to the refugee experience.Methods and findingsWe conducted a single-blind RCT (October 2017 –May 2019) with Chin (39.3%), Kachin (15.7%), and Rohingya (45%) refugees living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The trial included 170 participants receiving six 45-minute weekly sessions of IAT (97.6% retention, 4 lost to follow-up) and 161 receiving a multicomponent CBT also involving six 45-minute weekly sessions (96.8% retention, 5 lost to follow-up). Participants (mean age: 30.8 years, SD = 9.6) had experienced and/or witnessed an average 10.1 types (SD = 5.9, range = 1–27) of traumatic events. We applied a single-blind design in which independent assessors of pre- and posttreatment indices were masked in relation to participants’ treatment allocation status. Primary outcomes were symptom scores of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD (CPTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the 5 scales of the Adaptive Stress Index (ASI), and a measure of resilience (the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale [CDRS]). Compared to CBT, an intention-to-treat analysis (n = 331) at 6-week posttreatment follow-up demonstrated greater reductions in the IAT arm for all common mental disorder (CMD) symptoms and ASI domains except for ASI-3 (injustice), as well as increases in the resilience scores. Adjusted average treatment effects assessing the differences in posttreatment scores between IAT and CBT (with baseline scores as covariates) were −0.08 (95% CI: −0.14 to −0.02, p = 0.012) for PTSD, −0.07 (95% CI: −0.14 to −0.01) for CPTSD, −0.07 for MDD (95% CI: −0.13 to −0.01, p = 0.025), 0.16 for CDRS (95% CI: 0.06–0.026, p ≤ 0.001), −0.12 (95% CI: −0.20 to −0.03, p ≤ 0.001) for ASI-1 (safety/security), −0.10 for ASI-2 (traumatic losses; 95% CI: −0.18 to −0.02, p = 0.02), −0.03 for ASI-3 (injustice; (95% CI: −0.11 to 0.06, p = 0.513), −0.12 for ASI-4 (role/identity disruptions; 95% CI: −0.21 to −0.04, p ≤ 0.001), and −0.18 for ASI-5 (existential meaning; 95% CI: −0.19 to −0.05, p ≤ 0.001). Compared to CBT, the IAT group had larger effect sizes for all indices (except for resilience) including PTSD (IAT, d = 0.93 versus CBT, d = 0.87), CPTSD (d = 1.27 versus d = 1.02), MDD (d = 1.4 versus d = 1.11), ASI-1 (d = 1.1 versus d = 0.85), ASI-2 (d = 0.81 versus d = 0.66), ASI-3 (d = 0.49 versus d = 0.42), ASI-4 (d = 0.86 versus d = 0.67), and ASI-5 (d = 0.72 versus d = 0.53). No adverse events were recorded for either therapy. Limitations include a possible allegiance effect (the authors inadvertently conveying disproportionate enthusiasm for IAT in training and supervision), cross-over effects (counsellors applying elements of one therapy in delivering the other), and the brief period of follow-up.ConclusionsCompared to CBT, IAT showed superiority in improving mental health symptoms and adaptative stress from baseline to 6-week posttreatment. The differences in scores between IAT and CBT were modest and future studies conducted by independent research teams need to confirm the findings.Trial registrationThe study is registered under Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (http://www.anzctr.org.au/). The trial registration number is: ACTRN12617001452381

Supplemental Material for Do Levels of Posttraumatic Growth Vary by Type of Traumatic Event Experienced? An Analysis of the Nurses’ Health Study II

Supplemental Material for Do Levels of Posttraumatic Growth Vary by Type of Traumatic Event Experienced? An Analysis of the Nurses’ Health Study II

Negatywne i pozytywne konsekwencje ekspozycji na traumę u studentów obcokrajowców studiujących na Uniwersytecie Łódzkim

Introduction: Many people, including students, are exposed to various types of traumatic events. The experience of such events usually results in the occurrence of negative consequences, primarily symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Exposure to trauma can also be the cause of the positive consequences revealed in the form of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). The aim of the study was to check whether there is a relationship between experiencing traumatic events and the negative (PTSD) and positive (PTG) consequences of trauma in a group of foreign students, and to determine whether PTSD and PTG are related. Material and methods: The study involved 85 foreign students studying at the University of Lodz, originating in Iraq, Syria, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, of which 80 admitted that they had experienced at least one traumatic event. The subjects’ age ranged from 18–33 years (M = 23.2, SD = 3.64). Men constituted 57.5%, women 42.5%. The following measurement tools were used in the study: The Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Results: The most frequently experienced event by examined students turned out to be combat or exposure to warfare (32.5%). Three-quarters of the surveyed students (75%) showed a high risk of PTSD. At the same time, over half of the respondents were characterized by at least moderate intensity of posttraumatic growth. Positive correlations were found between PTSD and PTG symptoms. Among the symptoms of PTSD, intrusion played a predictive role for PTG. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce the risk of PTSD in young people who have been exposed to traumatic events are required.

Posttraumatic stress, alcohol use severity, and alcohol use motives among firefighters: The role of anxiety sensitivity

IntroductionFirefighters are vulnerable to developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a cognitive-affective mechanism with clinical relevance to both PTSD and AUD. The current study examined the potential role of AS in the association of PTSD symptomatology with alcohol use severity and alcohol use motives among a large sample of firefighters. Heightened PTSD and high AS were expected to be associated with alcohol use severity and coping-oriented alcohol use motives. Heightened PTSD symptomatology was expected to be indirectly associated with alcohol use severity and coping motives through high AS. Covariates included number of years in the fire service and the number of traumatic event types endorsed. MethodsParticipants included 652 urban firefighters (93.3% male; Mage = 38.7, SD = 8.57). Firefighters completed an online questionnaire battery. ResultsPTSD symptomatology was positively associated with alcohol use and coping motives. AS was positively associated with alcohol use coping motives but not alcohol use severity. AS partially explained the association between PTSD symptomatology and coping, conformity, and social motives, but did not significantly account for the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and enhancement motives or alcohol use severity. ConclusionsAmong firefighters, the association between PTSD and alcohol use coping, conformity, and social motives is partially accounted for by AS. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Complex posttraumatic stress disorder in Chinese young adults using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ): A latent profile analysis

BackgroundThe ICD-11 includes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) as two distinct disorders. Several empirical studies have supported the distinction between PTSD and CPTSD in various trauma population and different culture backgrounds. However, research documenting qualitatively distinction between PTSD and CPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in a large general population from non-English-speaking countries is limited. MethodsSelf-report measures were used to assess CPTSD, dissociation, depression, and posttraumatic growth in a sample of 1,760 Chinese college students who had experienced at least one traumatic event. Latent profile analysis was utilized to identify the number of classes based on the 18-item version of ITQ. ResultsA four-class solution (low symptoms, disturbance of self-organization, PTSD, CPTSD) was the most appropriate one in our study. Compared to the PTSD class, the CPTSD class was associated with more serious psychopathology symptoms. LimitationsSample characteristics in this study limit its generalizability to other population (e.g., low educational level, clinical sample). The type of traumatic event in predicting distinct classes should also be investigated in future studies. ConclusionsDistinction between PTSD and CPTSD as ICD-11 proposed was supported in a Chinese young adult sample. DSO symptoms might inhibit healing and recovery process, and subsequent intervention could consider treat CPTSD based on addressing DSO symptoms.

Severity profiles of posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms in treatment seeking traumatized refugees

BackgroundWestern countries are facing many challenges hosting refugees from several regions in the world. Many of them are severely traumatized and suffer from a variety of mental health symptoms, which complicates the identification and treatment of refugees at risk. This study examined subgroups based on a broad range of psychopathology, and several predictors, including trauma characteristics and gender. MethodsParticipants were 1147 treatment-seeking, traumatized refugees. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify different subgroups based on levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify predictors of subgroup membership. ResultsThree distinct subgroups were identified, reflecting Moderate (10.2%), Severe (43.0%), and Highly Severe (45.9%) symptom severity levels, respectively. Symptom severity of all psychopathology dimensions was distributed equally between the subgroups. Participants in the Severe and Highly Severe Symptoms subgroups reported more types of traumatic events compared to the Moderate subgroup. In particular, traumatic events associated with human right abuses, lack of human needs and separation from others predicted subgroup membership, as did gender. LimitationsThe results are confined to treatment-seeking, traumatized refugee populations. ConclusionsDistinguishable symptom severity profiles of PTSD, depression, anxiety and somatic complaints could be identified in this large treatment-seeking refugee population, without qualitative differences in symptom distribution. Instead of focusing on specific mental disorders, classification based on overall symptom severity is of interest in severely traumatized patients. This knowledge will help to identify individuals at risk and to enhance existing treatment programs for specific patient groups.

Gender differences in response to war-related trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder \u2013 a study among the Congolese refugees in Uganda

BackgroundThe wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo have left indelible marks on the mental health and functioning of the Congolese civilians that sought refuge in Uganda. Even though it is clear that civilians who are exposed to potentially traumatizing events in war and conflict areas develop trauma-related mental health problems, scholarly information on gender differences on exposure to different war-related traumatic events, their conditional risks to developing PTSD and whether the cumulative exposure to traumatic events affects men and women differently is still scanty.MethodsIn total, 325 (n = 143 males, n = 182 females) Congolese refugees who lived in Nakivale, a refugee settlement in the Southwestern part of Uganda were interviewed within a year after their arrival. Assessment included exposure to war-related traumatic events, and DSM-IV PTSD symptom severity.ResultsOur main findings were that refugees were highly exposed to war-related traumatic events with experiencing dangerous flight as the most common event for both men (97%) and women (97%). The overall high prevalence of PTSD differed among women (94%) and men (84%). The highest conditional prevalence of PTSD in women was associated with experiencing rape. The dose-response effect differed significantly between men and women with women showing higher PTSD symptom severity when experiencing low and moderate levels of potentially traumatizing event types.ConclusionIn conflict areas, civilians are highly exposed to different types of war-related traumatic events that expose them to high levels of PTSD symptoms, particularly women. Interventions focused at reducing mental health problems resulting from war should take the context of gender into consideration.

Redemptive Stories and Those Who Tell Them are Preferred in the U.S

The present studies examined the common, but untested, theoretical assumption that those in the United States prefer negative past experiences, such as trauma, to be redeemed, to be resolved in some positive or growth-promoting fashion. Narratives of six types of traumatic events were rated by U.S adults (n = 1872) across six samples and two studies. Confirming pre-registered hypotheses, there was a reliable preference for stories that were redeemed compared to stories that ended negatively, as well as for the narrators of redemptive stories, who were judged as likable and to have desirable personality traits. There was no support for the hypothesis that redemptive stories would be viewed as more common than non-redemptive stories, or that the relation between story type and preference would be mediated by Belief in a Just World. Implications include the compulsory nature of storying trauma and potential risks of these cultural expectations.