Types Of Traumatic Experiences Research Articles

Classifications of Trauma Exposure and Their Associations With 3-Year Follow-up Psychological Symptoms Among Korean Victims of Disaster: A Latent Class Analysis.

This study aimed to classify patterns of trauma exposure among disaster victims using latent class analysis (LCA) and to examine group differences in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depressive symptoms over 3 years. Data were obtained from a 3-year panel survey of Korean disaster victims (male = 461, female = 513) who responded to four types of trauma experiences: threatened death, injury or disease, witnessing injury or death, and loss of family or relatives in 2017. The LCA yielded three classes: the low-threat (66.1%), life-threat (29.4%), and multi-threat (4.5%) groups. One-way analysis of variance showed that the multi-threat group had the highest levels of PTSD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms significantly decreased between 2017 and 2018 in the life-threat and multi-threat groups. However, there were no differences between 2018 and 2019 in any groups. These results highlight the importance of early intervention during the proximal period after trauma, particularly in individuals exposed to multiple types of traumatic experiences.

That’s Gonna Leave a Mark: Positionality and Secondary Trauma in Researching Mass Killing and Genocide

In this article, I describe two fieldwork experiences dealing with traumatic subject matter: a three-month trip to the Russian Federation, researching the crimes of Stalin against the Soviet population, and a two-week odyssey across Poland, researching memorialization of the Holocaust as it occurred there. I had a much more difficult time on the Polish trip. These trips took place at different times, and my positionality had changed dramatically between the two experiences. The other relevant factor in each case was the nature of the material itself and the extent to which I was exposed to it. The Stalinist Terror is much more submerged in Russian society, for example, and it was often challenging to find evidence that it had occurred, as this involved travel to often far-flung Gulag and mass execution sites. In the Polish case, however, the Holocaust narrative and evidence of its occurrence was front and center in my experiences there, to the extent that the ubiquity of sites where terrible events occurred became overwhelming. The interaction of my positionality and the extent to which I was exposed to different types of traumatic experience, led to widely differing emotional tolls on my psyche in each case. I hope an analysis of this interaction, and the differing effects it produced provides information about planning and executing research on traumatic subjects that is valuable to others preparing to undertake it. (Or perhaps it will provide a cautionary tale about what to avoid). This article adds to the literature on personal negative outcomes experienced by those researching traumatic subject matter, particularly in the social sciences.

Peculiarities of the formation of early attachment models in children with traumatic experiences

This article presents the results of a meta-analysis of relevant studies published in English literature between 2010 and 2022, focusing on the definition of traumatic experience, types of psychological trauma, early attachment models, and the concept of mentalization. The search services PsycInfo, PubMed, APA Web-of-Science, and Research Gate were used to accomplish the set objectives. The influence of childhood traumatic events on the development of primary attachment models was explored. It was established that early attachment models are internal representations or perceptions formed during childhood, that determine a child’s perception of close individuals and their relationships. The effectiveness and scientifically substantiated aspects of the Neurosequential Model in Education and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) in working with children who have experienced traumatic events are described. It was found that childhood traumatic experience affects seven main aspects of psychology: sensory development, dissociation (changes in consciousness), attachment, affect regulation, behavioral regulation, cognitive domain, self-awareness, and identity development. Each type of traumatic experience has its conditions, characteristics, mechanisms, and consequences for the formation of early attachment models in children and overall psychosocial functioning. Thus, understanding the entire spectrum of changes, including neurobiological aspects, is crucial when working with children who have experienced traumatic events and require specialized support. This analysis revealed that the quality of parent-child interaction depends on parents' ability to mentalize and their capacity to understand the child‘s inner world, which, in turn, influences the formation of early childhood attachment models. Depending on the presence or absence of traumatic experiences in a child's life, different attachment styles can be developed. The identified generalizations shed light on the pathogenesis of relationship trauma-related disorders and can be practically applied in the development and implementation of professional recommendations or programs for psychosocial support for children who have experienced traumatic events. Emphasizing the necessity for further empirical research to gain a more detailed understanding of this issue.

Differentiating Childhood Traumas in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Research on inflammatory bowel disease has shown a connection to childhood traumatic events. However, few studies have focused on specific types of traumatic experiences and the impact of confiding in others on disease-related outcomes. This comparative, cross-sectional study expected that: (1) patients would report higher prevalence rates of childhood traumas than healthy controls; (2) healthy controls would report fewer and less severe traumatic experiences than patients and less confiding in others compared to patients; (3) childhood trauma severity would be indirectly related to depressive symptoms through resilience and confiding in others would moderate this relationship. Participants completed an online survey; an inflammatory bowel disease patient group (N = 195, Mage = 40.48, 76.4% female) was compared to a similarly recruited sample of healthy controls (N = 190, Mage = 31.16, 59.5% female). Patients reported a higher prevalence of experiencing sexual traumas (P = .031), major upheavals (i.e., disruptions) (P = .048), and violence (P = .050) than controls. Patients had significantly higher total trauma severity odds ratios (OR 0.89, 95% CI[0.81,0.97]) and significantly lower total confiding in other odds ratios than controls (OR 1.09, 95% CI[1.02,1.16]). Childhood trauma severity was indirectly related to depressive symptoms through resilience, b = .05, SE = 0.09, 95% CI[0.01,0.09]; however, confiding did not moderate this relationship. Patients reported more sexual, disruptive, and violent traumas. Although confiding did not act as a moderator, trauma was related to depressive symptoms through resilience.

Attachment and resilience as mediators or moderators in the relationship between trauma and psychotic-like experiences.

A large body of evidence has established a tight relation between traumatic experiences (TEs) and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). Nevertheless, more comprehensive models involving multiple interactions of serial or parallel mediations and moderations still need to be elucidated. Among the many potential mediators or moderators, insecure attachment and resilience play a key role in the association of stress with PLEs. Hence, we aim to explore the complex pathways that lead from different types of TEs to PLEs, involving attachment and resilience modeled as mediators or moderators. One thousand ten high school students completed the International Trauma Exposure Measure (ITEM), the 11-item Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA-11), the 16-item Prodromal Questionnaire (iPQ-16), and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ). A path analysis was conducted to assess mediation and moderation. The final model showed that the impact of childhood TEs on PLEs was mediated by a pathway through anxious-insecure attachment styles (i.e., fearful and preoccupied, respectively, 8.75% and 8.53% of the total effect) and personal resilience resources. Conversely, the avoidant-insecure attachment was associated with lower interpersonal resilience (b=0.14 [0.08, 0.20]), which in turn moderated the impact of recent TEs on PLEs (interaction term b=0.34 [0.21, 0.47]). Our model examines a complex model that includes factors buffering the effect of traumatic experiences on PLEs. Our results highlight the importance of insecure-anxious attachment to personal resilience resources and of insecure-avoidant attachment to interpersonal resilience as potential targets for clinical practice.

The Mediating Role of Tolerance for Psychological Pain in the Relationship Between Different Types of Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Suicidal Ideation.

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the mediating effects of facets of the tolerance for psychological pain on the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation. A sample of 437 community individuals and a sample of 316 college students participated. For the community sample, managing the pain mediated the relationship between childhood trauma, the different types of traumatic experiences and suicidal ideation. In the college sample, managing the pain and enduring the pain mediated the relationship between childhood trauma, the different types of traumatic experiences and suicidal ideation, except for the case of sexual abuse. The present results have potential clinical implications. Mental health professionals should be aware of the long-term consequences of exposure to childhood trauma and need to assess the ability to tolerate psychological pain so as to implement appropriate psychological interventions that help individuals cope with their pain.

The Relationship Between Trauma and Substance Use Among Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Trauma exposure is prevalent in the general population, but healthcare workers may be at greater risks for additional work-related trauma. Trauma is a known risk factor for substance use, particularly tobacco and risky alcohol use. Few studies have examined the relationship between trauma and substance use in healthcare workers. Among healthcare workers, the aims of our study were to examine (a) frequency of current tobacco use and risky alcohol use, (b) frequency and types of traumatic experiences, and (c) the associations between trauma experiences and current tobacco and risky alcohol use controlling for demographic factors. This study is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from healthcare workers (N = 850) in an academic medical center. Demographic and work-related variables, trauma experience, and substance use were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis examined associations between trauma exposure and tobacco and risky alcohol use controlling for demographic and work-related variables. Nearly 75% of respondents reported at least one lifetime traumatic experience, and one in 10 reported tobacco and risky alcohol use. When controlling for demographic and work-related variables, a dose-response relationship was observed such that the higher the number of traumatic experiences, there was a greater likelihood of reporting tobacco or risky alcohol use. Because healthcare providers have additional work-related trauma risk above the public, and greater trauma is associated with increased risk for substance use, it is important to screen for trauma and provide appropriate treatment resources to healthcare providers. Future research is needed to better delineate the relationship between specific traumas and risky substance use among healthcare providers.

Bullying as a Traumatizing Process: An Investigation of the Phenomenology of the Bullying Experiences and their Dynamic Effects

Bullying has been shown to generate deleterious psychological effects leading to psychosocial, psychological and psychiatric disturbances. Based on qualitative research, the aim of this study is to investigate the internalization and psychodynamics of bullying and the extent to which bullying may fundamentally influence the individual's experience of self and other. We have conducted qualitative interviews with group therapy patients at a psychiatric clinic in Denmark, all of whom had been assigned to therapy due to depression, and all with severe experiences of bullying. Originally this was not the focus of their therapy, but our investigation indicates how different aspects of the patients’ pathology appear to be linked to their prior experiences of bullying. We suggest that bullying may be perceived as a specific type of traumatic experience, and we posit that it may have disruptive effects on the internal self‐other representations, which the individual may have difficulties integrating at the symbolic level.

The ins and outs of posttraumatic growth in children and adolescents: A systematic review of factors that matter.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to a positive psychological change that occurs following a seismic and highly challenging life circumstance. An individual who experiences PTG reports posttrauma development that surpasses their baseline level of pretrauma function in various domains. The present systematic review of the current literature aimed to explore factors related to the development of PTG in children and adolescents exposed to trauma. Included studies investigated a range of factors that impact PTG development in youth from five countries: the United States, Israel, China, Japan, and Norway. Studies addressed multiple types of traumatic experiences, including medical trauma, war- and terror-related trauma, and environmental trauma. Findings suggested that factors that impact the development of PTG include the presence of posttraumatic stress symptoms, specifically intrusiveness, and cognitive factors, such as the use of positive reappraisal and deliberate rumination. Many factors demonstrated inconsistencies across studies, such as the impact of age, gender, social support, and parent factors. The findings from this systematic research study encourage the notion that certain clinical intervention strategies, such as deliberate rumination, positive reappraisal coping strategies, and trauma-informed group therapy, may facilitate growth in trauma survivors. Future research should test if these intervention strategies directly impact growth and whether there is an evidence-based form of intervention that can assist clinicians in taking a growth- and strengths-based perspective after trauma.

Traumatic events, psychological symptoms, and aggression in male and female prisoners.

Objective: Establish the relationship between the types of traumatic experiences, number of traumas, age at the time of traumatic events with psychopathological symptoms and aggression in an Ecuadorian prison. Method: A cross-sectional study with 101 offenders from Ambato's Detention Center in Ecuador. Results: Of the prisoners in this sample, 27 have PTSD. Incarcerated individuals who have suffered intentional trauma, multiple traumas, and trauma before the age of 18 show higher levels of psychopathological symptoms and aggression. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of mental health care in prisons. Research outcomes are relevant for future investigation in Latin American prisons for the design and implementation of trauma-related interventions. Trauma-focused interventions can prevent violence and mitigate its consequences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of childhood trauma on facial recognition of fear in psychosis

IntroductionChildhood trauma has been reported as a risk factor for psychosis. Different types of traumatic experiences in childhood could lead to different clinical manifestations in psychotic disorders. MethodsWe studied differences in social cognition (emotion recognition and theory of mind) and clinical symptoms in a sample of 62 patients with psychosis (less than five years of illness) and childhood trauma, analysing performance by trauma type. ResultsPsychotic patients with a history of childhood trauma other than sexual abuse were more capable of recognizing fear as a facial emotion (especially when facial stimuli were non-degraded) than participants with a history of sexual abuse or with no history of childhood trauma (P = .008). We also found that the group that had suffered sexual abuse did not show improvement in fear recognition when exposed to clearer stimuli, although this intergroup difference did not reach statistical significance (P = .064). We have not found other differences between abuse groups, neither in clinical symptoms (PANSS factors) nor in Hinting Task scores. ConclusionWe have found differences in fear recognition among patients with psychotic disorders who have experienced different types of childhood trauma.

Complex Trauma Symptoms after Childhood Maltreatment: Strengths and Challenges of the Therapy Program STAIR-NT

The number and type of traumatic experiences (especially childhood maltreatment) appear to increase the risk of developing complex trauma symptoms. There is initial evidence that patients with complex trauma benefit from phase-based therapeutic approaches. STAIR-NT (Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation with Narrative Therapy) is a two-phase trauma therapy approach: emotion regulation and interpersonal skills are learned in the STAIR phase, and in the narrative therapy phase (NT) the exposure to trauma aims at recognizing and changing dysfunctional, trauma-associated assumptions. Experiences with STAIR-NT in the context of a current treatment study show that the two phases provide a clear structure and more security for the treatment. First clinical experiences with STAIR-NT as well as short case vignettes are presented and recommendations for the treatment of patients with complex trauma are given. Concrete practical recommendations are offered for the implementation and individualization on interventions, which among others relate to offender contact, motivational work, handling dissociative states, therapeutic methods (especially exposure), and therapy completion. The close connection between theory and practice facilitates the transfer of learning experiences into everyday life and promotes the strengthening of patients’ self-efficacy and autonomy.

1.3 TRAINING AND SUPPORTING RURAL PEDIATRICIANS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND CARE OF FAMILIES AFFECTED BY TRAUMA

Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Network for Early Childhood Tele-Education (KKI-NECT) is a case-based learning collaborative to address behavioral, emotional, and developmental concerns in children ages birth to 5 years. The speaker will give a brief overview of KKI-NECT and present findings from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded program. KKI-NECT replicates the Project ECHOTM (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model of a “hub” (KKI developmental pediatricians, child and adolescent psychiatrist, and behavioral psychologist), which hosts weekly “clinics” (teleconferences) with “spokes” (10-12 pediatric primary care providers) in underserved areas across the states of Maryland and West Virginia. The frequency and types of traumatic experiences in the cases discussed during the sessions, as well as the methods to train and support primary care providers in identifying and addressing trauma in their patients, will be presented. Finally, a short case example will illustrate the nature and complexity of cases being managed rurally by nonspecialists, with the support of the KKI-NECT team. Over 4 years, 85 unique cases were presented by rural pediatric providers for assistance with diagnosis and management by specialists in the hub. Among these 85 unique cases, 69% of the cases presented had a least 1 adverse childhood experience (ACE) as compared to 45% of children in the United States. In addition, 37% had 3 or more ACEs, putting them at higher risk for poor outcomes, as compared with 10% nationally. The most common ACEs were parental separation, household substance use, and parental mental illness. Pediatricians are uniquely positioned to intervene because early childhood trauma is often undetected or unreported. Traumatic experiences have been described in the majority of cases discussed during the KKI-NECT clinics. KKI-NECT provides an opportunity for both education and support for pediatric providers as they respond to trauma-related concerns in their patients.

67.1 RECOGNIZING THE PREVALENCE OF TRAUMA IN CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS (IDDS)

Children with intellectual development disorder (IDD) experience increased rates of stressors, negative life events, and trauma, which often present in externalizing behaviors. The underlying trauma is often not identified. This presentation aims to increase the efficacy of treatment for children with IDD through the recognition of trauma in this population. Jill Hinton, PhD, will review the literature on the prevalence of trauma, identify the most common types of traumatic experiences in IDD, and describe challenges in diagnosis. Findings from a PTSD screening study in Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment (START) crisis prevention and intervention programs will also be shared. Through this presentation, participants will gain an understanding of the prevalence of trauma and stressor-related disorders in children with IDD and how undiagnosed trauma can lead to misdiagnosis. Recognition of the prevalence will lead child and adolescent psychiatrists to better assess for trauma, understand the impact, and incorporate this into treatment planning for children with IDD.

Gender Differences in Traumatic Experiences, PTSD, and Relevant Symptoms among the Iraqi Internally Displaced Persons.

Conflict in Iraq has led to a large number of internally displaced Iraqis, with a great impact on their mental health. A few previous studies investigated the gender differences of mental disorders in Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs). The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among Iraqi IDPs after the 2014 terrorist attacks in terms of types of traumatic experiences, prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other symptoms of common mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms). A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April–June 2015 among 358 female and 464 male adult IDPs living in IDP camps in Duhok, Iraq. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) were applied by local interviewers. Comparison of scores of these measures between the two genders was performed using independent sample t-tests. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors for PTSD. Although the types of traumatic events experienced by female and male IDPs were nearly similar, males reported higher exposure to combat situation, torture, oppressions, and destruction of personal properties (t = 3.718 and 4.758, respectively, p < 0.001). Overall, males experienced more events than females (p < 0.001). The probable PTSD prevalence rates (29.1% among females and 31.9% among males) did not differ significantly (p = 0.212). Female IDPs reported more somatic (p < 0.001) and depressive/anxious (p < 0.001) symptoms than males. The demographic factors and duration of camp stay were not associated significantly with PTSD diagnosis. Probable PTSD rates among male and female IDPs in Iraq are substantial. Although no gender differences were found in probable PTSD rates between female and male Iraqi IDPs, the mean score of common mental disorders cases was higher among females and they presented with higher levels of somatic and depressive/anxious symptoms. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms contributing to gender differences in PTSD.

The impact of childhood trauma on children's wellbeing and adult behavior

BackgroundThis article looks at the impact of childhood trauma on children's wellbeing and adult behavior from the perspective of 9 clinical professionals in Ireland. It exhibits how physical, sexual and emotional abuse disrupts one's life through analyzing coping strategies and behaviors adopted by childhood trauma victims following adversity exposure. ObjectivesTo examine if coping mechanisms such as denial, self- isolation, drug and alcohol abuse are associated with childhood trauma survivors. Correspondingly, this research investigates if symptoms related to depression and anxiety, sleep disturbance and low self-esteem are consequences of childhood trauma. The final objective explores possible correlations between resilience capacity and social class background. Upon this selection, the authors acknowledge that consequences and post-trauma symptoms can vary depending on numerous factors, including the type of abuse endured by victims. MethodsParticipants were recruited through convenience selection and snowball sampling. Individuals worked in social care, counselling, psychotherapy, psychology and support work. Seven females and two males participated in recorded semi-structured interviews. Six interviews were carried out via phone call and three were conducted face-to-face. Participants shared experiences about their client-based interactions. Participants were assigned a pseudonym to protect their identity. ResultsWithin this study, childhood trauma survivors present alcohol and drug dependency issues, deny the negative impact their adversities have on their wellbeing (especially if it was inflicted by their parents), and construct a false self-image to cope rather than self-isolate. Early onset of trauma may contrive a low self-esteem and depression and anxiety can surface due to feelings of inadequacy. Sleep disturbance did not appear as a consequence of childhood trauma in this study. Social class was not an influential factor in mediating the type of traumatic experiences faced by individuals from different backgrounds. Financial circumstances did however, present as significant in impacting support-service availability. Interventions, treatment plans and social support emerged as crucial in enhancing resilience levels, reversing the onset of problematic behavior and psychiatric conditions. ConclusionChildhood trauma victims exhibit low self-esteem, and experience depression and anxiety. Some deny their trauma history, while others create a false self-image and engage in alcohol and drug misuse in attempts to prevent their traumatic experiences from impacting their life. Early interventions may reduce trauma symptoms alongside sufficient and customized treatment strategies.

A longitudinal investigation of trauma-specific rumination and PTSD symptoms: The moderating role of interpersonal trauma experience

BackgroundInterpersonal trauma (IPT) is one of the most commonly reported types of traumatic experiences and has the greatest likelihood of resulting in a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Relative to other types of trauma, victims of IPT report greater trauma-specific rumination, whereby they focus on negative consequences of the trauma on their life. Theoretical and empirical work suggest trauma-specific rumination leads to elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS); however, there has been a dearth of research examining how trauma type may impact this association. Therefore, the current longitudinal study examined how the experience of IPT moderates the relationship between trauma-specific rumination and later PTSS. MethodParticipants (N = 204) enrolled in a clinical trial completed self-report measures of trauma experience, trauma-specific rumination, and PTSS at baseline and 1-month follow-up appointments. ResultsResults revealed that IPT moderated the relationship between baseline rumination and 1-month trauma symptoms, even after covarying for participant age and sex, treatment condition, negative affect, and number of previously experienced traumas. Further, this moderation effect was specific to the PTSD numbing cluster. LimitationsMajor limitations include measurement of PTSS via PCL-C rather than the PCL-5, as well as a limited sample size, precluding moderation analyses of other trauma types. ConclusionsThe current study provides novel findings demonstrating specificity of index trauma type in the longitudinal relationship between rumination and PTSS. Future work is needed to examine how IPT impacts the development of pathways between rumination and PTSS.

Epidemiology of Trauma History and Body Pain: A Retrospective Study of Community-Based Australian Women

To assess whether body pain was associated with different trauma histories (physical injury vs. interpersonal injury [IPI]) within Australian women, along with body pain and trauma history associations with biological and psychological (biopsycho) confounders. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) 1973-1978 birth cohort wave 6 data. Relevant life events were categorized into two types of traumatic experience and included as exposure variables in a multinomial regression model for body pain subgroups. Also, subgroup analyses considered trauma and pain effects and interactions on biopsycho burden. The unadjusted multinomial regression model revealed that a history of physical injury was found to be significantly associated with body pain severity, as was a history of IPI trauma. After the model was adjusted to include biopsycho confounders, the association between IPI and body pain was no longer significant, and post hoc analysis revealed the relationship was instead mediated by biopsycho confounders. Women with a history of IPI and body pain were also found to have the greatest biopsycho (physical functioning, stress, anxiety, and depression) burden. The relationship between IPI and body pain was found to be mediated by biopsycho burden, whereas the relationship between physical injury and body pain was not. Also, a history of IPI was associated with a greater biopsycho burden than was a history of physical injury. These results suggest there is clinical value in considering the comprehensive trauma history of patients with pain when developing their biopsychosocial model of care.

Delay discounting in children exposed to disaster.

Delay discounting is an important predictor of future health and academic success in children but can change in environmental uncertainty situations. Here we show that the experience of loss of housing in the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011—but not other psychological trauma such as loss of loved ones—was correlated delay discounting of children. In 2014, we assessed delay discounting in children (N = 167; mean age = 8.3 years-old), who were preschool age at the time of the earthquake (mean age at the time of disaster = 4.8 years-old) in a time-investment exercise where children allocated five tokens between rewards "now" (one candy per token on the same day) versus "one month later" (two candies per token one month later). The number of tokens allocated for "now" was higher by 0.535 (95% confidence interval: −0.012, 1.081) in children who had their housing destroyed or flooded than those with no housing damage. Other types of traumatic experiences were not associated with delay discounting.

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN AN ADOLESCENT WITH ASPERGER SYNDROME

Background The results of the previous research imply that persons with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at an increased suicide risk. Suicidality is more probable when PTSD occurs in comorbidity with other psychological disorders. The studying of potential differences and the fundamental social and physiological characteristics of suicidal and non-suicidal persons with PTSD has so far failed to produce consistent results. The objective of this article is to examine whether suicidal and non-suicidal persons with PTSD differ by demographic characteristics, the presence and the type of comorbidity with other psychological disorders and the type of traumatic experience. Subjects and methods The study included 147 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 91 men and 56 women, who have been diagnosed with PTSD under the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Based on the suicidality status (suicidal/non-suicidal), the sample was divided into two sub-samples. For the purpose of data collection, a clinical interview and a socio-demographic questionnaire was applied during psychological clinical assessment at a psychiatric ward. Results It has been established that suicidal and non-suicidal persons with PTSD differ by demographic characteristics, such as the educational and employment status, the presence of a history of suicide in the family, the presence and type of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, and the type of traumatic experience. In terms of age, gender, marital status and psychiatric heredity, no significant differences have been found relative to the suicidality status. Conclusions Suicidal persons with PTSD more frequently have low education, they are unemployed and have a history of suicide in the family, and they are diagnosed with comorbid psychiatric disorders, dominated by mood disorders and personality disorders, with multiple comorbid disorders combined, and with war, civilian and mixed trauma being equally present in these persons. Based on the established demographic and clinical characteristics of suicidal patients with PTSD, it is possible to improve the psychological and psychiatric assessment of suicidality in persons with PTSD, which enables adequate and timely identification of the suicide risk in this population.