Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Parents and Youth After Health-Related Disasters

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated the psychosocial responses of children and their parents to pandemic disasters, specifically measuring traumatic stress responses in children and parents with varying disease-containment experiences.MethodsA mixed-method approach using survey, focus groups, and interviews produced data from 398 parents. Adult respondents completed the University of California at Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (PTSD-RI) Parent Version and the PTSD Check List Civilian Version (PCL-C).ResultsDisease-containment measures such as quarantine and isolation can be traumatizing to a significant portion of children and parents. Criteria for PTSD was met in 30% of isolated or quarantined children based on parental reports, and 25% of quarantined or isolated parents (based on self-reports).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that pandemic disasters and subsequent disease-containment responses may create a condition that families and children find traumatic. Because pandemic disasters are unique and do not include congregate sites for prolonged support and recovery, they require specific response strategies to ensure the behavioral health needs of children and families. Pandemic planning must address these needs and disease-containment measures. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:105-110)

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Gender Differences in Trauma Treatment: Do Boys and Girls Respond to Evidence-Based Interventions in the Same Way?

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-13-00016 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 927-939 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carlton D. Craig ◽

Ginny Sprang

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Specific Response ◽

Trauma Symptoms ◽

End Of Treatment ◽

Reaction Index

This article investigates gender differences in trauma symptoms from baseline to end of treatment (trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy or parent–child interaction therapy) in children ages 7–18 years. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and trend analysis using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were conducted on baseline and end of treatment University of California at Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI) total scores. Results suggest that female children start at higher reported total posttraumatic stress disorder rates than males, but both groups experience significant symptom reduction during the course of treatment. At posttreatment, girls are still reporting higher symptom levels on the UCLA PTSD-RI than boys, suggesting that their clinical presentation at discharge may differ despite significant treatment gains. A full factorial model including the interaction of dose and gender was not significant. Identification of these gender-specific response patterns are an important consideration in treatment and discharge planning for children who have been trauma-exposed and are presenting for treatment with post trauma exposure disturbances.

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Vorhersagbarkeit posttraumatischer Belastung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen nach traumatischen Ereignissen in der Schule

Kindheit und Entwicklung ◽

10.1026/0942-5403.17.4.219 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 219-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Barbara Frühe ◽

Hans-Joachim Röthlein ◽

Rita Rosner

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Reaction Index ◽

Traumatische Ereignisse

Traumatische Ereignisse im schulischen Kontext treten vergleichsweise häufig auf. So ist die Bestimmung von Kindern und Jugendlichen, die aktuell und auch zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt einer psychologischen Betreuung bedürfen, im Rahmen der Fürsorgepflicht notwendig. 48 Jugendliche zwischen 12 und 17 Jahren wurden in der Schule zu zwei Messzeitpunkten zur akuten und posttraumatischen Symptomatik sowie zu verschiedenen Risikofaktoren befragt. Verwendet wurde die neu entwickelte Checkliste zur Akuten Belastung (CAB) und die deutsche Version des University of Los Angeles at California Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA CPTSD-RI). Eine Woche nach dem Ereignis betrug der Anteil klinisch bedeutsamer Belastung 21 % und nach 10 – 15 Wochen 10 %. Ein mittlerer Zusammenhang zwischen akuter und posttraumatischer Belastung konnte nachgewiesen werden. Als bedeutsame Risikofaktoren für die Entwicklung einer posttraumatischen Belastung stellten sich der Konfrontationsgrad, peritraumatisch erlebte Angst sowie akute Beeinträchtigung heraus. Im Kontext der Betreuung betroffener Jugendlicher nach traumatischen Ereignissen sollte den Risikofaktoren mehr Beachtung geschenkt werden.

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Prevalence and Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Chinese Youths After an Earthquake

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2013.41.10.1613 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (10) ◽

pp. 1613-1623 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yue Wei ◽

Li Wang ◽

Richu Wang ◽

Chengqi Cao ◽

Zhanbiao Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

School Students ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Reaction Index ◽

Current Criterion ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

In the current study we investigated the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Chinese youths after an earthquake. A total of 753 middle school students participated in the survey and 99.5% of them were of Tibetan ethnicity. The University of California, Los Angeles PTSD Reaction Index was used to assess PTSD symptoms and a total of 101 participants were identified as probable PTSD cases. Independent predictors of PTSD included female sex, being injured, witnessing death, and derealization during the earthquake. Our results add to extant understanding of the impact of disasters on youth mental health, and carry implications for revising the current Criterion A2 of PTSD in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

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Posttraumatic Stress and Youth Violence Perpetration: a Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.08.007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 88-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

M. Aebi ◽

M. Mohler-Kuo ◽

S. Barra ◽

U. Schnyder ◽

T. Maier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Youth Violence ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Specific Symptom ◽

Reaction Index

AbstractBackgroundExposure to trauma was found to increase later violent behaviours in youth but the underlying psychopathological mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to test whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is related to violent behaviours and whether PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between the number of trauma experiences and violent behaviours in adolescents.MethodThe present study is based on a nationally representative sample of 9th grade students with 3434 boys (mean age = 15.5 years) and 3194 girls (mean age = 15.5 years) in Switzerland. Lifetime exposure to traumatic events and current PTSD were assessed by the use of the University of California at Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA-RI). Logistic regression was used to assess associations between PTSD and violent behaviours, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the meditation effects of PTSD.ResultsPTSD (boys: OR = 7.9; girls: OR = 5.5) was strongly related to violent behaviours. PTSD symptoms partially mediated the association between trauma exposure and violent behaviours in boys but not in girls. PTSD symptoms of dysphoric arousal were positively related to violent behaviours in both genders. Anxious arousal symptoms were negatively related to violent behaviours in boys but not in girls.ConclusionsIn addition to trauma, posttraumatic stress is related to violent outcomes. However, specific symptom clusters of PTSD seem differently related to violent behaviours and they do not fully explain a trauma-violence link. Specific interventions to improve emotion regulation skills may be useful particularly in boys with elevated PTSD dysphoric arousal in order to break up the cycle of violence.

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Implementing Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Groups for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Biofeedback ◽

10.5298/1081-5937-42.4.02 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 137-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Frances J. Reyes

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Real Life ◽

Housing Program

This article describes the administration of a heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback intervention designed to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity in post-9/11 service members. The study recruited 33 male OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans in a Los Angeles transitional housing program. Twenty-seven veterans completed the study. Participants attended eight once-weekly HRV biofeedback group sessions. For the first four weeks, veterans learned to use biofeedback to regulate physiological stress responses. The latter four weeks consisted of real-life biofeedback application and coaching. Results suggest that consistent HRV biofeedback practice was essential for HRV improvement, which may help alleviate PTSD.

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Maternal mind–mindedness and toddler behavior problems: The moderating role of maternal trauma and posttraumatic stress

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579417000360 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 1431-1442 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M. Ann Easterbrooks ◽

Molly K. Crossman ◽

Alessandra Caruso ◽

Maryna Raskin ◽

Claudia Miranda-Julian

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Behavior Problems ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Adolescent Mothers ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Free Play ◽

Reaction Index ◽

Moderating Role

AbstractMaternal mind–mindedness (MM) reflects a caregiver's tendency to view a child as an individual with an independent mind. Research has linked higher MM with more favorable parenting and child adaptation. The aim of this study was to examine whether MM was associated with toddlers’ behavior problems and competence, and the moderating role of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample (N = 212) of adolescent mothers and their toddlers. MM was coded from maternal utterances during free play; mothers completed the University of California at Los Angeles Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index and reported on children's behavior problems and competence using the Brief Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. The majority of mothers (84%) experienced trauma; 45% of these mothers met criteria for partial or full PTSD. Trauma was related to greater behavior problems, and PTSD moderated MM–child functioning relations. When mothers experienced full PTSD, there was no relation between MM and behavior problems. With child competence, when compared to children of mothers with no trauma exposure, children of mothers experiencing partial PTSD symptoms were more likely to have delays in competence when mothers made more MM comments. Results are discussed in light of how MM, in the context of trauma and PTSD, may affect parenting.

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Childbirth and Posttraumatic Stress Responses

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.22.4.259 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 259-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Eelco Olde ◽

Rolf J. Kleber ◽

Onno van der Hart ◽

Victor J.M. Pop

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Experience ◽

Event Scale ◽

Self Rating ◽

The Impact

Childbirth has been identified as a possible traumatic experience, leading to traumatic stress responses and even to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study investigated the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) in a group of women who recently gave birth (N = 435). In addition, a comparison was made between the original IES and the IES-R. The scale showed high internal consistency (α = 0.88). Using confirmatory factor analysis no support was found for a three-factor structure of an intrusion, an avoidance, and a hyperarousal factor. Goodness of fit was only reasonable, even after fitting one intrusion item on the hyperarousal scale. The IES-R correlated significantly with scores on depression and anxiety self-rating scales, as well as with scores on a self-rating scale of posttraumatic stress disorder. Although the IES-R can be used for studying posttraumatic stress reactions in women who recently gave birth, the original IES proved to be a better instrument compared to the IES-R. It is concluded that adding the hyperarousal scale to the IES-R did not make the scale stronger.

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Efficacy and Underlying Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10081575 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1575

Author(s):

Chan-Young Kwon ◽

Boram Lee ◽

Sang-Ho Kim

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Large Scale ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Spatial Learning And Memory ◽

Expectancy Effects ◽

Therapeutic Mechanisms

Acupuncture is a nonpharmacological intervention that can be useful in the clinical management of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in situations with a lack of medical resources, including large-scale PTSD events such as disasters. Some clinical studies have reported the clinical effect of acupuncture in improving PTSD symptoms, but the underlying therapeutic mechanism has yet to be explored. Therefore, this review summarized the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture in animal PTSD models. A comprehensive search was conducted in 14 electronic databases, and two independent researchers performed study selection, data extraction, and the methodological quality assessment. Twenty-four relevant studies were included in this review and summarized according to the proposed main mechanisms. In behavioral evaluation, acupuncture, including manual acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, reduced anxiety and fear responses and weakened fear conditioning, improved sleep architecture, reduced depressive symptoms, and alleviated disturbance of spatial learning and memory of PTSD animal models. The therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture proposed in the included studies could be classified into two categories: (1) regulation of stress responses in the neuroendocrine system and (2) promotion of neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in several brain areas. However, the methodological quality of the included animal studies was not high enough to produce robust evidence. In addition, mechanistic studies on specific aspects of acupuncture that may affect PTSD, including expectancy effects, in human PTSD subjects are also needed.

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Childhood Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the Schools

Canadian Journal of School Psychology ◽

10.1177/082957359501100108 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 65-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Robert W. Motta

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

School Psychologists ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

School Personnel ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Group Interventions ◽

Children And Parents ◽

Childhood Ptsd ◽

Clinical Interest

There has been a growing research and clinical interest in children who meet the criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). An increase in family violence, violence in schools, and a variety of other stressors is suspected of leading to the characteristic PTSD symptoms of reexperiencing the trauma, psychological numbing, and increased states of arousal. School psychologists and other school personnel can be of benefit to children and parents by being made aware of the nature of this disorder and by actively coordinating assessments and interventions. Research on childhood PTSD is presented along with methods of assessment and a review of individual and group interventions. Suggestions are made regarding the school psychologist's role in actively coordinating services through outside agencies, in the school, and at home.

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