Experience of Trauma and
            PTSD
            Symptoms in Autistic Adults: Risk of
            PTSD
            Development Following
            DSM
            ‐5 and
            Non‐DSM
            ‐5 Traumatic Life Events

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of acute stress reactions to recent life events among persons living with HIV/AIDS. A second aim was to investigate the relationship of acute stress reactions among HIV-infected men and women to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to previous traumatic life events. Method: Participants included 64 HIV-seropositive persons (33 men and 31 women) drawn from a larger study examining the effects of group therapy on quality of life and health behavior. These individuals were assessed at baseline on demographic and medical status characteristics and (PTSD) symptoms and then randomly assigned to either receive group therapy plus education or education alone. Three months later they were assessed for acute stress reactions to recent life events. Results: Nearly a third (31.3 percent) of the participants reported levels of acute stress reactions to recent life events that met all symptom criteria for the diagnosis of acute stress disorder. However, only 9.4 percent of the respondents described a recent stressful life event that was threatening to the life or physical integrity of themselves or others. Acute stress reactions to recent life events were significantly and positively related to experiencing PTSD symptoms to prior traumatic life events. Acute stress did not differ significantly by gender, AIDS status, or whether or not participants had received 12 weeks of group therapy. Conclusions: A subset of individuals with HIV/AIDS experience high levels of acute stress reactivity to life events considered non-traumatic. HIV-infected individuals who react strongly to ongoing life stressors are more likely to have developed PTSD symptoms in response to previous traumatic life events.

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The Dutch Version of the Centrality of Event Scale (CES)

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000517 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 361-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mirjam Vermeulen ◽

Dirk Smits ◽

Paul A. Boelen ◽

Laurence Claes ◽

Filip Raes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Negative Life Events ◽

Underlying Structure ◽

Unique Contribution ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Event Scale ◽

Student Sample ◽

Event Centrality ◽

Dsm 5 ◽

Criterion A

Abstract. Event centrality is defined as the extent to which the memory of a traumatic event forms a reference point for personal identity and the attribution of meaning to other experiences in a person’s life. The current study investigated the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Centrality of Event Scale (CES; Berntsen & Rubin, 2006 ) and its relation with symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, exposure to traumatic events as defined by DSM-5 trauma criterion A, and negative life events in a student sample ( N = 967). An underlying structure of one factor was found. This factor structure was replicated in two additional independent samples. High internal consistency was found for a 6-item CES. CES scores were positively related to symptoms of PTSD and depression, to the DSM-5 trauma criterion A, and the number of negative life events. The CES made a unique contribution to the explained variance in PTSD symptoms when controlling for depression. However, CES scores were unrelated to depression when controlling for PTSD symptoms, suggesting that event centrality might be more typically related to PTSD, and less to depression.

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PTSD Symptoms and Self-Rated Recovery Among Adult Sexual Assault Survivors: The Effects of Traumatic Life Events and Psychosocial Variables

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1111/j.1471-6402.2008.01473.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 43-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Cynthia J. Najdowski ◽

Sarah E. Ullman

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Life Events ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Psychosocial Variables ◽

Sexual Assault Survivors ◽

Traumatic Life Events ◽

Adult Sexual Assault ◽

Assault Survivors

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Understanding Why Older People Develop a Wish to Die

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000078 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 204-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

M. L. Rurup ◽

H. R. W. Pasman ◽

J. Goedhart ◽

D. J. H. Deeg ◽

A. J. F. M. Kerkhof ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Cohort Studies ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Life Events ◽

Traumatic Life Events ◽

Quantitative Studies ◽

Wish To Die ◽

Open Coding ◽

Death Wishes ◽

Depth Interviews

Background: Quantitative studies in several European countries showed that 10–20% of older people have or have had a wish to die. Aims: To improve our understanding of why some older people develop a wish to die. Methods: In-depth interviews with people with a wish to die (n = 31) were carried out. Through open coding and inductive analysis, we developed a conceptual framework to describe the development of death wishes. Respondents were selected from two cohort studies. Results: The wish to die had either been triggered suddenly after traumatic life events or had developed gradually after a life full of adversity, as a consequence of aging or illness, or after recurring depression. The respondents were in a situation they considered unacceptable, yet they felt they had no control to change their situation and thus progressively “gave up” trying. Recurring themes included being widowed, feeling lonely, being a victim, being dependent, and wanting to be useful. Developing thoughts about death as a positive thing or a release from problems seemed to them like a way to reclaim control. Conclusions: People who wish to die originally develop thoughts about death as a positive solution to life events or to an adverse situation, and eventually reach a balance of the wish to live and to die.

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