scholarly journals Stressful events as correlates of depressive and PTSD symptoms in Hong Kong women during social unrest and COVID-19 pandemic

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Ming Yin Wong ◽  
Charlotte Wan Chi Wong ◽  
Christy Lai Ming Hui ◽  
Sherry Kit Wa Chan ◽  
Edwin Ho Ming Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Social Unrest

scholarly journals Mental Health Risks after Repeated Exposure to Multiple Stressful Events during Ongoing Social Unrest and Pandemic in Hong Kong: The Role of Rumination: Risques pour la santé mentale après une exposition répétée à de multiples événements stressants d’agitation sociale durable et de pandémie à Hong Kong: le rôle de la rumination

2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372097992
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Y. Wong ◽  
Christy L. M. Hui ◽  
Corine S. M. Wong ◽  
Y. N. Suen ◽  
Sherry K. W. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Repeated Exposure ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Dose Effect ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Social Unrest ◽  
Event Based

Objectives: The co-occurrence of different classes of population-level stressors, such as social unrest and public health crises, is common in contemporary societies. Yet, few studies explored their combined mental health impact. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of repeated exposure to social unrest-related traumatic events (TEs), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related events (PEs), and stressful life events (SLEs) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms, and the potential mediating role of event-based rumination (rumination of TEs-related anger, injustice, guilt, and insecurity) between TEs and PTSD symptoms. Methods: Community members in Hong Kong who had utilized a screening tool for PTSD and depressive symptoms were invited to complete a survey on exposure to stressful events and event-based rumination. Results: A total of 10,110 individuals completed the survey. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that rumination, TEs, and SLEs were among the significant predictors for PTSD symptoms (all P < 0.001), accounting for 32% of the variance. For depression, rumination, SLEs, and PEs were among the significant predictors (all P < 0.001), explaining 24.9% of the variance. Two-way analysis of variance of different recent and prior TEs showed significant dose-effect relationships. The effect of recent TEs on PTSD symptoms was potentiated by prior TEs ( P = 0.005). COVID-19 PEs and prior TEs additively contributed to PTSD symptoms, with no significant interaction ( P = 0.94). Meanwhile, recent TEs were also potentiated by SLEs ( P = 0.002). The effects of TEs on PTSD symptoms were mediated by rumination (β = 0.38, standard error = 0.01, 95% confidence interval: 0.36 to 0.41), with 40.4% of the total effect explained. All 4 rumination subtypes were significant mediators. Conclusions: Prior and ongoing TEs, PEs, and SLEs cumulatively exacerbated PTSD and depressive symptoms. The role of event-based rumination and their interventions should be prioritized for future research.

scholarly journals Changes in mental well-being in Hong Kong before and during social unrest and COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Yin Stephanie Wong ◽  
Ling Tsz Theresa Siu ◽  
Lai Ming Christy Hui ◽  
Kit Wa Sherry Chan ◽  
Ho Ming Edwin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Hierarchical Regression Analysis ◽  
Social Unrest ◽  
Mental Well Being

Abstract Purpose Understanding the impact of co-occurring population- and individual-level stressful events on mental well-being should inform future intervention design. This study examined the association of two population-level stressful events (social unrest and COVID-19) and personal stressors with life satisfaction in Hong Kong.Methods This study analyzed data on life satisfaction, experience of stressful life events (SLEs), rumination, and resilience, from two representative population telephone surveys conducted in 2018 (n = 1,514) and 2020 (n = 1,258). The association between life satisfaction and personal SLEs was further compared between the two samples using moderation analysis. Using data from the 2020 survey, the effect of different types of SLEs, rumination, and resilience on life satisfaction was investigated using hierarchical regression analysis.Results The study achieved a response rate of 56.2% and 68.9% for surveys 2018 and 2020, respectively. Life satisfaction of the population decreased significantly in 2020, accompanied by an overall increase in SLEs. Moderation analysis revealed that the relationship between personal SLEs and life satisfaction was significantly greater in 2018 than in 2020. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that an increase in all kinds of SLEs and higher levels of rumination were significantly associated with lower life satisfaction in 2020.Conclusion The significant reduction in life satisfaction reported in this study suggests that measures to support the mental health of populations that have experienced multiple simultaneous, large-scale stressors would be crucial. During distinctive phases as such, rumination may be a potential target for improving overall mental health.

Kindergarten children’s perceptions of the social unrest in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
pp. 1476718X2110627
Author(s):  
Caroline Cohrssen ◽  
Nirmala Rao ◽  
Puja Kapai ◽  
Priya Goel La Londe
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Children's Drawings ◽  
Social Unrest ◽  
Protest Movements ◽  
Children's Perceptions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Children’S Drawings ◽  
The World

Hong Kong experienced a period of significant social unrest, marked by protests, from June 2019 to February 2020. Media coverage was pervasive. In July 2020, children aged from 5 to 6 years attending kindergartens in areas both directly and less directly impacted by the protests were asked to draw and talk about what had taken place during the social unrest. Thematic analysis of children’s drawings demonstrates the extent of their awareness and understanding and suggests that children perceived both protestors and police as angry and demonstrating aggression. Many children were critical of police conduct and saw protestors as needing protection from the police. Children around the world have been exposed to protest movements in recent times. The implications for parents, teachers and schools are discussed.

scholarly journals Time-course of PTSD symptoms in the Australian Defence Force: a retrospective cohort study

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Waller ◽  
F. J. Charlson ◽  
R. E. E. Ireland ◽  
H. A. Whiteford ◽  
A. J. Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Stressful Event ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
C 50 ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
The Impact

Aims.Understanding the time-course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the underlying events, may help to identify those most at risk, and anticipate the number of individuals likely to be diagnosed after exposure to traumatic events.Method.Data from two health surveys were combined to create a cohort of 1119 Australian military personnel who deployed to the Middle East between 2000 and 2009. Changes in PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C) scores and the reporting of stressful events between the two self-reported surveys were assessed. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the number of stressful events reported and PTSD symptoms, and assess whether those who reported new stressful events between the two surveys, were also more likely to report older events. We also assessed, using linear regression, whether higher scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale or the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test were associated with subsequent increases in the PCL-C in those who had experienced a stressful event, but who initially had few PTSD symptoms.Results.Overall, the mean PCL-C scores in the two surveys were similar, and 78% of responders stayed in the same PCL-C category. Only a small percentage moved from having few symptoms of PTSD (PCL-C < 30) in Survey 1 to meeting the criteria for PTSD (PCL-C ≥ 50) at Survey 2 (1% of all responders, 16% of those with PCL-C ≥ 50 at Survey 2). Personnel who reported more stressful lifetime events were more likely to score higher on the PCL-C. Only 51% reported the same stressful event on both surveys. People who reported events occurring between the two surveys were more likely to record events from before the first survey which they had not previously mentioned (OR 1.48, 95% CI (1.17, 1.88),p< 0.001), than those who did not. In people who initially had few PTSD symptoms, a higher level of psychological distress, was significantly associated with higher PCL-C scores a few years later.Conclusions.The reporting of stressful events varied over time indicating that while the impact of some stressors endure, others may increase or decline in importance. When screening for PTSD, it is important to consider both traumatic experiences on deployment and other stressful life events, as well as other mental health problems among military personnel, even if individuals do not exhibit symptoms of PTSD on an initial assessment.

Cultural Variations in Resilience Capacity and Posttraumatic Stress: A Tri-Cultural Comparison

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 273-295
Author(s):  
Ping Zheng ◽  
Matt J. Gray ◽  
Wen-Jie Duan ◽  
Samuel M. Y. Ho ◽  
Mian Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Resilience Capacity

Resilience capacity has been associated with individuals’ flexibility and adaptability in responding to potential trauma. Culture-related appraisals influence not only interpretations of etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perception of severity of PTSD symptoms but also flexible coping strategies. However, adequate research of the mechanisms on how culture may affect the relationship between resilience and PTSD does not yet exist. The present study focused on whether and how culture (America, Hong Kong, and Mainland China) moderated the relationship between resilience capacity and severity of posttraumatic distress. Data were collected at three research sites (America, Hong Kong, and Mainland China) where 558 trauma survivors were recruited. Measures included the Life Events Checklist ( LEC-5), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 ( PCL-5), and the Revised Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale ( CD-RISC-R). The results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that American participants were more resilient than the participants in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The results of multiple regression indicated that frequency of exposure to trauma was a weaker predictor of severity of PTSD symptoms at high versus low levels of resilience capacity. The results also indicated a weaker moderating effect of Hong Kong versus American culture on the relation between resilience capacity and PTSD. This pilot study highlighted East–West cultural differences in the baselines of resilience capacity and posttraumatic stress and may motivate clinicians and researchers to reevaluate Western diagnostic criteria to psychological trauma conceptualization and treatment for non-Western populations.

Evidence of a Decrease in Heart Rate and Skin Conductance Responses in PTSD Patients After a Single EMDR Session

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Aubert-Khalfa ◽  
Jacques Roques ◽  
Olivier Blin
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Skin Conductance ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Psychophysiological Responses ◽  
Skin Conductance Responses ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Trauma Recall ◽  
Emdr Therapy

Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) demonstrate abnormal psychophysiological responses to stressful events. Given that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy appears to be a treatment of choice for trauma victims, the aim of the present study was to determine if psychophysiological responses to stress decreased after a single EMDR session. Six PTSD patients were treated by an EMDR therapist. Their psychophysiological responses (heart rate and skin conductance) were recorded before and after the EMDR session under two conditions: (a) in a relaxed state and (b) while visualizing their own traumatic event. At the end of the session, all patients had a significant reduction in their PTSD symptoms, which confirms previous results demonstrating the efficacy of the EMDR approach. Second, after only one EMDR session, heart rate and skin conductance during the trauma recall decreased significantly as compared to a relaxing state.

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